Black Friday spend ‘to rise’ 3% in UK – report

Prepare for a Black Friday spending spree with related retail sales set to rise by 3% on a year ago, as consumers get their appetite back for spending following last month’s UK Budget.

That’s according to Rendle Insights & Intelligence, which also predicts spending will rise 2.6% from 2023 over the week as a whole. It also expects Black Friday week spend (started 25 November) to be 15% higher week-on-week.

A boost should come from the main day (29 November) falling on payday for many, “affording shoppers with greater available budget to spend over the Black Friday week and on the day itself”, noted well-respected Rendle founder and CEO Diane Wehrle.

She also says Black Friday spending in stores is forecast to increase 2.5% on a year ago and by 3.8% online.

Also good news is that she expects UK consumers to spend £86.4 billion overall this Christmas, albeit a modest 1.8% year-on-year increase.

Wehrle added: “Retailer’s will be buoyed that consumer confidence rose in November, signalling shoppers have their appetite back to spend just in time for Black Friday, with the added advantage that Black Friday this year lands on payday for many.

“Spend in-store will remain strong as many take the day off to grab a bargain, and the surge in ‘nudging’ by brands sharing time-bound deals and promotions will drive online spend.”