UK Retail Sales Set to Smash the £8.74 bn Mark This Black Friday Weekend

It’s that time of year again when shoppers turn into spending super‑heroes and deals are ripped from retail shelves like a Sunday morning gossip. The latest VoucherCodes.co.uk forecast drums up excitement for 2023’s Customer‑Day‑shaking, “Shopping for Christmas” report, predicting the sales will climb a slim 0.4 % from last year’s £8.71 bn to a whopping £8.74 bn.

Why Cyber Monday Still Rules the Roost

Stubbornly held‑back to the “Black Friday” arena, the bulk of the action actually erupts on Cyber Monday. This demo‑day shoppers camp out in front of their screens, hunting for the best prices. Forecasts claim the day’s spend will hit £3.34 bn – that’s a 6 % jump since last year’s £3.17 bn.

Black Friday? You’ll Get Less Chip.

And how quirky! Black Friday is expected to dip a tiny 0.2 % to just £3.01 bn, down about £6 m from last year. Good luck catching a bargain on the first day of the week.

Bottom Line – English Hills (core insights)

Black Friday Weekend sales are projected to reach £8.74 bn.
Cyber Monday shows the highest spending – £3.34 bn (a 6 % YoY increase).
Black Friday sees a slight decline – £3.01 bn (down £6 m from 2022).
Shoppers are leaning into Cyber Monday for the best steals.

So gather your wishlist, tighten your wallet‑bands, and let the hunt begin. If this is your annual ritual, remember: it’s not just a sale – it’s a Friday‑Friday‑Friday froth‑of‑revenue cocktail for the UK market. Cheers!

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Black Friday Weekend: A Shopping Frenzy for the 40% Shopaholics

Despite the rising cost of living squeezing wallets tighter, a whopping 40 % of shoppers say they’re ready to hit the market during Black Friday Weekend. That means retailers are looking at a jaw‑dropping £2.63 million per minute—online and in‑store—culminating in roughly £157.8 million every hour. That’s a neat 0.6 % year‑on‑year jump.

What’s Going on Sale?

Electronics – Almost half (46 %) of buyers will grab gadgets and gear.
Clothes & Shoes – Close behind, 44 % plan to snatch discounts on apparel.
Toys – 35 % will figure out if there’s a better price for child‑worthy fun.
Cosmetics – 30 % are hunting for beauty bargains.

Long‑haul Deals: Two Weeks of Discounts

Just like 2022, a number of retailers are extending the slewin’ of a Black Friday spree to a full two‑week period. That brings in a massive £22.67 billion in sales – a modest 0.2 % year‑on‑year increase. And that’s before we even talk about the endless bubbles of “I wish I’d bought this earlier.”

Insights from the Retail Guru

Michael Brandy, Senior Commercial Director at VoucherCodes.co.uk, says, “After a year of watching the economy tip‑toe into uncertainty, it’s great to see Black Friday sales staying steady.”

“People are using the weekend to bulk up on gifts ahead of Christmas, but shopping this year will be smarter. Many folks will hold off until Cyber Monday to snap the best deals,” he adds.

“This year, more than ever, retailers must focus on real value and super‑slick customer experience. Think free shipping, click‑and‑collect, and named delivery days—they’ll build loyalty and set your brand apart.”