Black Friday 2026: The History, Christmas Savings and Car Buying Tips

Every November, Black Friday seems to arrive a little earlier. Shops advertise discounts, Christmas shoppers begin ticking presents off their lists, and businesses prepare some of their biggest promotions of the year.

But have you ever wondered why it’s called Black Friday, where the tradition started, or whether the deals really save you money?

The answers are more interesting than you might expect. The story begins in America, with crowded city streets and frustrated police officers, before becoming the shopping event we recognise today.

And whether you’re shopping for Christmas presents, a new television or even your next car, there are some useful lessons to take from its history.

Black Friday 2026: The Key Facts

• Black Friday 2026: Friday 27 November.
• Cyber Monday 2026: Monday 30 November.
• Where did shopping’s Black Friday originate? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
• When did Black Friday arrive in the UK? Amazon helped introduce the event to British shoppers in 2010.
• Are Black Friday deals always cheaper? No. Some offer genuine savings, but comparing prices remains important.

Where did Black Friday get its name?

You might have heard that Black Friday is the day retailers finally start making a profit, moving from being in the red to in the black.

It’s an explanation that makes sense, particularly given how much shopping takes place.

However, that wasn’t how the modern shopping event got its name.

The original Black Friday was a rather different event

The expression has appeared throughout history to describe difficult or disastrous Fridays.

One famous example occurred on 24 September 1869, when an attempt to manipulate America’s gold market collapsed and caused financial turmoil.

That event became known as Black Friday, although it wasn’t connected with Christmas shopping.

Philadelphia, football and enormous traffic jams

The origins of the shopping-related Black Friday are generally traced to Philadelphia in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The Friday after Thanksgiving was a particularly busy day in the city. Christmas shoppers travelled into Philadelphia to visit its department stores, while thousands of visitors also arrived ahead of the annual Army–Navy American football game.

The combination created enormous traffic congestion, crowded pavements and additional work for local police officers. For the police, it was anything but an enjoyable Friday. They began referring to the day as Black Friday because of the disruption it caused.

The expression was documented in connection with Philadelphia’s post-Thanksgiving shopping crowds by 1961.

How retailers turned Black Friday into something positive

Unsurprisingly, businesses weren’t particularly enthusiastic about a name associated with traffic problems and chaos.

As the expression became more widely recognised, retailers gradually gave it a more positive interpretation.

The idea that Black Friday represented businesses moving from financial losses into profit became popular during the 1980s.

Although that wasn’t the original explanation, it helped transform the name into something associated with shopping, savings and the beginning of the Christmas retail season.

When did Black Friday come to the UK?

For many years, Black Friday was predominantly an American tradition.

That began to change in 2010. Amazon introduced Black Friday promotions to its UK website, offering discounts across a range of products, including electronics, toys and household goods.

Its first UK promotion ran for several days rather than just one Friday. Other British retailers gradually followed.

In 2013, Asda and other familiar high-street names helped bring Black Friday into physical shops, increasing its visibility across the country.

Today, UK consumers encounter Black Friday promotions across everything from technology and fashion to household goods and services.

The event has also expanded considerably. What started as one day can now mean a weekend, a week or even several weeks of offers.

What is Cyber Monday, and how did it begin?

Cyber Monday takes place on the Monday after Black Friday. It was introduced as a shopping term in 2005 by Shop.org, an American online retail organisation, to highlight the growing importance of internet shopping after Thanksgiving weekend.

Originally, Black Friday was more closely associated with physical shops, while Cyber Monday focused on online retailers. That distinction is much less obvious today, with online promotions appearing throughout the Black Friday period.

In 2026, Cyber Monday falls on Monday 30 November.

Can Black Friday help you save money before Christmas?

It certainly can, particularly when you’re buying things you already planned to purchase. For many households, Christmas involves several expenses arriving close together: presents, food, decorations, travel and festive activities.

Black Friday takes place before the busiest part of December, creating an opportunity to spread out Christmas shopping and potentially purchase some items for less.

For example, imagine you’ve budgeted £80 for a particular Christmas present. If you find that exact item genuinely reduced to £60, you’ve saved £20 against the price you were prepared to pay.

Multiply that across several planned purchases, and those savings could make a difference to your Christmas budget.

Shopping earlier may also give you more time to compare products, arrange deliveries and avoid leaving everything until the final weeks before Christmas.

However, there’s an important distinction between saving money on something you intended to buy and buying something simply because it has a discount attached.

MoneyHelper recommends setting a budget, checking affordability and resisting pressure to make purchases purely because an offer appears time-limited.

Are Black Friday deals always genuine bargains?

Not necessarily. Consumer organisation Which? regularly investigates Black Friday pricing.

In research examining 175 advertised deals from previous events, Which? found that every product studied had been available for the same price or less at some point during the six months before or after the event. That doesn’t mean Black Friday never offers genuine savings.

It does mean that the biggest advertised percentage isn’t necessarily the best indication of value.

Five ways to shop smarter during Black Friday

1. Check the previous price: If possible, look at a product’s price history rather than relying solely on its advertised reduction.
2. Compare different retailers: The same product may be available elsewhere for a similar or lower price without a special promotion.
3. Stick to your Christmas budget: Decide what you can afford before browsing the sales.
4. Consider the total cost: Delivery charges, finance interest, optional extras and ongoing expenses can affect whether something represents good value.
5. Don’t rush an important decision: A discount should make an appropriate purchase better value. It shouldn’t be the only reason for making it.

Black Friday car deals: Six things to check before buying

Black Friday isn’t limited to Christmas presents. If you’re already considering changing your car, an advertised November promotion might be worth investigating.

But vehicles are very different from everyday retail purchases. Even a substantial-looking saving on the purchase price needs to be considered alongside the total cost of ownership.

Here are six things worth checking:

1. Is the vehicle genuinely cheaper? Compare the advertised price with similar vehicles of the same age, mileage, specification and condition. If you’re part-exchanging your existing vehicle, look at the overall amount you’re paying rather than concentrating only on the discount or trade-in valuation. Also check whether delivery charges, registration costs or additional fees apply.
2. What will the finance actually cost? A lower vehicle price doesn’t automatically mean a cheaper finance agreement. If you’re considering Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP), compare the deposit, APR, monthly repayments, total amount payable, final balloon payment, and mileage limits.
3. Has the car’s history and condition been checked? For a used vehicle, check registration details, MOT history, service records and outstanding safety recalls. The government’s online vehicle-checking services can help you confirm important information, and it is sensible to arrange an inspection where needed.
4. What warranty protection is included? A warranty may cover specified mechanical or electrical failures, but protection varies. Check duration, claim limits, exclusions, and servicing conditions against any existing manufacturer cover.
5. What are the ongoing running costs? The purchase price is only part of the picture. Think about insurance, servicing, fuel or electricity, tyres, and vehicle tax to ensure it fits your long-term budget.
6. Would additional vehicle protection be appropriate? Standard comprehensive motor insurance calculates a total-loss settlement based on market value at the time of the claim, which can be lower than your original purchase price or outstanding finance balance. This is where optional GAP insurance may be worth considering. ALA offers different policies for vehicles bought outright, financed, or leased. You can explore our Beginner’s Guide to GAP Insurance and browse our main ALA Insurance hub to learn more.

Black Friday savings shouldn’t stop at the purchase price

Whether you’re buying a Christmas present or considering a new vehicle, the principle is similar. A good deal should work for your circumstances, your budget and what you actually need.

With cars, that means looking beyond the advertised purchase price and considering the longer-term costs of ownership.

At ALA, we believe it’s important to understand your options, compare the protection available and make an informed decision.

A quick teaser: Something special is coming later this week…

As Black Friday approaches, we are getting ready to launch our own special promotional offer here at ALA. Keep your eyes peeled later this week for an exclusive discount designed to give eligible customers extra value across our vehicle protection range.

Remember, the right insurance policy suits your needs, whether or not there’s a discount available.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Black Friday 2026 in the UK?

Black Friday takes place on Friday 27 November 2026, the day after American Thanksgiving. Some retailers begin their offers earlier in November, while others continue beyond the Black Friday weekend.

Why is Black Friday called Black Friday?

The shopping-related name is generally traced to Philadelphia police officers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They used it to describe heavy traffic and crowds arriving for Christmas shopping and the annual Army–Navy football game.

Who brought Black Friday to the UK?

Amazon helped introduce Black Friday to British online shoppers in 2010. The event became more widely recognised as UK retailers, including Asda, began participating in subsequent years.

Is Black Friday cheaper than Christmas or Boxing Day sales?

Sometimes, but there is no guarantee. The best time to buy depends on the particular product, its price history and the offers available. Comparing prices before making a purchase is more reliable than assuming one sales period will always be cheaper.

Can you get Black Friday deals on cars?

Some motor retailers may offer seasonal promotions. However, buyers should compare the total vehicle price, finance costs, condition and ongoing expenses before deciding whether an offer represents good value.

Is GAP insurance the same as a car warranty?

No. GAP insurance is designed to cover specified financial shortfalls after an eligible vehicle total loss, subject to the policy terms. A car warranty is designed to cover certain repair costs for specified faults or failures. They serve different purposes.

The Bottom Line

Black Friday has travelled a remarkable distance from its origins in Philadelphia. What began as a nickname for a difficult day of traffic and crowds has become an internationally recognised shopping event.

For consumers, its greatest benefit is the opportunity to look for genuine value on purchases they already intend to make. Whether you’re preparing for Christmas or considering your next vehicle, a little planning and research can help you make the most of the offers available.

And if you’re thinking about protecting your vehicle, ALA is here to help you understand your options.

Sources and Further Reading

The following sources were consulted in preparing this article:

ALA Insurance: A Beginner’s Guide to GAP Insurance⁠.d in preparing this article:

Library of Congress: The Gold Crisis of September 1869⁠ — historical use of the expression Black Friday.

The Philadelphia Inquirer: The origins of Black Friday in Philadelphia⁠ — Philadelphia traffic, police and early use of the shopping-related name.

HISTORY: The history behind Black Friday⁠ — how the event developed and how retailers reframed its meaning.

Amazon UK: Black Friday’s introduction in 2010⁠ — Amazon’s original UK announcement.

ITV News: Black Friday reaches British high-street retailers in 2013⁠.

SGB Media: Shop.org and Cyber Monday in 2005⁠ — contemporary reporting on Cyber Monday’s introduction.

Which?: Black Friday 2026 dates and shopping advice⁠.

Which?: Investigation into genuine Black Friday deals⁠.

MoneyHelper: Are Black Friday deals worth it?⁠ — budgeting and shopping advice.

GOV.UK: Checks when buying a used vehicle⁠.

ALA Insurance: A Beginner’s Guide to GAP Insurance⁠.