Black Friday Isn't What It Used to Be
Let's be honest: Black Friday deals in 2026 are mostly manufactured hype. Retailers raise prices in October, then "discount" them back to normal in November. But genuine bargains do exist if you know where to look.
What's Actually Cheaper on Black Friday
These categories see real discounts (20-50% off genuine retail):
- TVs - Always the biggest discounts. Older models get cleared.
- Gaming consoles and games - PS5, Xbox, and Switch bundles with games included.
- Air fryers and kitchen gadgets - Every Ninja product will be discounted.
- Vacuum cleaners - Dysons and Sharks drop £100-200.
- Smart home tech - Echo Dots, Google Nest, Philips Hue all go cheap.
What's NOT Cheaper
- Apple products - Apple doesn't do big sales. You'll get £20 off, maybe.
- New phones - iPhone 16? Not getting discounted. iPhone 14? Yes.
- Luxury fashion - Designer brands rarely participate.
- Books - Amazon's book prices stay flat.
The Preparation Strategy (Start Now)
1. Track Prices in October
Use CamelCamelCamel or Keepa to track Amazon price history. Screenshot prices in October. If a "Black Friday deal" is the same price as October, it's fake.
2. Create Wishlists Everywhere
Add what you want to wishlists on Amazon, Currys, Argos, John Lewis. Retailers email you when wishlist items go on sale.
3. Sign Up for Retailer Emails (Temporarily)
Create a throwaway email, sign up for every retailer's Black Friday alerts. You'll get early access codes and exclusive discounts. Unsubscribe on December 1.
The Best UK Retailers for Black Friday
Amazon: Biggest selection, but deals vary. Lightning deals sell out in minutes.
Currys: Best for electronics. They price-match too, so if Amazon is cheaper, show them.
Argos: Good for toys and home stuff. Use CodeLand Argos tracker for codes.
John Lewis: More expensive but includes 2-year warranty on everything.
AO.com: White goods (fridges, washing machines) see the biggest discounts here.
ASOS / Boohoo: Fashion deals are best on Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday).
Black Friday Timeline
Early November: "Early Black Friday" sales start. Sometimes better deals than actual Black Friday.
Black Friday (November 28): Peak chaos. Best for electronics and big-ticket items.
Cyber Monday (December 1): Online-only deals. Best for fashion, tech accessories, and smaller items.
Cyber Week: Sales continue through the week. Stock shortages mean some deals improve as retailers desperately clear inventory.
When to Actually Buy
If something you want is 30%+ off and in stock, buy it. Don't wait for "better deals" on the day - popular stuff sells out by 9am.
Doorbusters: Worth the Hype?
Doorbuster deals (limited stock, massive discounts) are real but rare. They're designed to get you in the door (or on the website) so you buy other stuff too.
Strategy: Set alarms for doorbuster times (usually midnight and 6am). Have your payment info saved. Be ready to check out in 30 seconds.
But honestly? Most doorbusters are loss leaders on products you don't actually need.
The Stacking Game (Advanced)
Black Friday discounts sometimes stack with:
- Student discounts (try it at checkout)
- Cashback (always use cashback">TopCashback/Quidco)
- Credit card offers (Amex "Spend £X get £Y back")
- Gift cards bought at a discount (buy discounted Amazon gift cards, then use them on Black Friday)
Full stack: Black Friday price + student code + cashback + Amex offer = 40-60% off.
Avoid the Tourist Traps
- Cheap Chinese brands on Amazon: "80% off!" but the RRP was fictional.
- Mystery bundles: "Gaming bundle worth £500!" - it's old junk.
- Extended warranties: Retailers push them hard on Black Friday. Usually unnecessary.
Shopping on the Day: Survival Tips
- Use the app, not the website - apps load faster when sites crash
- Pre-load your basket - add items the night before, check out at midnight
- Set price alerts - tools like Honey or Keepa alert you when prices drop
- Have a budget - easy to overspend on "deals" you don't need
Post-Black Friday: The Returns Avalanche
Lots of people buy stuff impulsively, then return it. Around December 10-15, returned items hit the market as "open box" or "refurbished" at even lower prices.
Check eBay, Amazon Warehouse, and Currys clearance sections.
CodeLand Black Friday Hub
We run a live Black Friday tracker starting November 1. Every verified deal, every working code, updated hourly. No nonsense, just what actually works.