BLACK Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year and it’s just weeks away.

Each year tens of thousands of retailers join the sale, with incredible Black Friday deals on everything from fitness equipment to trainers.

So whether you’re after football merchandise or, dare we mention the f-word, gift shopping for the festive period, it’s the one time of the year when you can reliably expect items to be at an all-time low price.

Taking place on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday 2024 will fall on November 29.

Shoppers can expect retail giants like Amazon, Nike, Gymshark and Adidas to be at the forefront, offering exclusive discounts and special offers on apparel, tech wearables, trainers, football boots and kit that you need to keep you fit and healthy in the New Year.

Before you shop, we recommend comparing prices at several retailers to make sure you’re getting the cheapest possible deals.

You can also keep an eye on this Black Friday page, which we’ll be updating frequently throughout the sales bonanza next month.

When is Black Friday 2024?

Black Friday falls on November 29 this year.

The annual global shopping event occurs the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

However, many retailers start their promotions early to compete for your custom, sometimes choosing to offer discounts from the beginning of November.

What used to be a one-day event will now run from Black Friday right through to Cyber Monday, when there’s often a last price-drop push from retailers and brands.

What Black Friday deals to expect?

Black Friday is always a great time to get your electronics and tech upgraded, with some great promotions offered by Apple, Currys and Amazon.

From headphones to power you to your next PB to a sports watch to act as a PT on your wrist, you can score deals on big brands like Beats, Garmin and Fitbit.

Last year, Gymshark had some amazing discounts with up to 70% off everything.

Black Friday is also a good time of year to stock up on your favourite supplement and protein powder brands, with Myprotein slashing their prices by 80% on some flavours.

Holland & Barrett reduced the prices of Huel by up to 20% and treated us to half-price on selected vitamin supplements.

If you need to buy a gift for a family member, you can expect low prices on toys, perfume, chocolate and even alcohol brands, making that Haig whisky for dad and Hotel Chocolat box for mum even more affordable.

10 best early Black Friday deals

Many retailers drop prices ahead of Black Friday and we’ve found some bargains already. Here are our favourites:

1. Breville barista max espresso machine, £298.99 (was £461.99) – buy here
2. Beats Studio3 wireless noise cancelling headphones, £199 (was £349.95) – buy here
3. Gymshark Legacy slim-fit hoodie, £31 (was £45) – buy here
4. Moto GP 24 X Box X / X Box One game, £19.97 (was £49.99) – buy here
5. Myprotein Impact whey gainer 1kg, £12.66 (was £22.99) – buy here
6. Puma Future 7 ultimate FG / AG football boots, £147 (was £210) – buy here
7. The North Face snowboarder back retro t-shirt, £8 (was £30) – buy here
8. Oakley hummus metallic shorts, £32 (was £45) – buy here
9. Oral-B io4 electric toothbrush, £99.99 (was £270) – buy here
10. Adidas unisex logo baseball cap, £10.50 (was £14.99) – buy here

When do Black Friday sales start?

Black Friday officially starts as the clock strikes midnight on the Friday following Thanksgiving, which is on 29 November this year.

However, retailers often start their Black Friday promotions well ahead of the actual date, sometimes launching deals as early as the beginning of November.

This has transformed Black Friday into a month-long event, with many shoppers looking for bargains, not just on the day itself, but throughout November.

Having more time to shop is an advantage for shoppers as it allows you to work out what you want and find the best deals without the pressure of a single day of sale shopping.

When do Black Friday 2024 sales end?

Black Friday sales typically continue through the weekend following Thanksgiving and extends into Cyber Monday, which occurs on the Monday after Black Friday.

This year Cyber Monday falls on 2 December and we will be updating our deals pages right the way through the shopping event to ensure you don’t miss out on the biggest price reductions.

Make sure to check our deals guide and brand pages before you buy as part of your research to locate the lowest possible prices on your shopping list.

What is Black Friday and Why is it called Black Friday?

Black Friday is a major retail event that takes place the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

The term Black Friday originally referred to the practice of businesses moving from being in the red (operating at a loss) to the black (profitable) due to the increase in sales during this period.

Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States that originated as a harvest festival, and it has been celebrated on and off since 1789.

Many non-retail employees and schools have Thanksgiving and the following Friday off, creating a four-day weekend in the US and increasing the number of potential shoppers.

Over the years, Black Friday has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with shoppers planning their purchases months in advance and tracking prices using websites like CamelCamelCamel to make sure they’re getting a genuine bargain.