There is now just under three weeks until Black Friday, otherwise known as the UK’s biggest shopping day of the year, when retailers knock prices across much of their stock to kick-start the gift-buying season.

On Black Friday last year, British consumers spent a whopping £810m, that’s £9,375 every second - and that’s just online purchases.

So if you’re willing to brave the crowds on Friday November 27 , and bag a bargain in time for Christmas, here’s what you can expect from retailers on Black Friday:

AMAZON

Amazon sold 5.5 million items on Black Friday in 2014 and they’re determined not to miss out this year. The internet giant is kicking off a week of limited ‘lightning deals’ from midnight on Monday, November 23. More than 7000 different deals will be up for grabs during the retail bonanza, including HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset, which is £49.99 instead of £74.99 and a CC Better CS810W sports camera, which is £53.99 instead of £72.99.

The former Tesco Home Plus in Chester on Black Friday last year

HALFORDS

For the first time ever, the bicycle specialist will be offering Black Fridays deals in stores as well as online, from Friday 27 to Monday 30 November. Prices on children’s bikes will be slashed by up to 50%.

Halfords is also running a Black Friday competition for people who sign up to its mailing list before November 25, offering a first prize of £1,500 worth of discounted goods.

JOHN LEWIS

John Lewis are keeping schtum about what particular deals they will be offering on Black Friday but company chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield has promised that sales will be more ‘thoughtful’ this year.

A spokesperson for John Lewis at Home, Chester said the store will open from 8am-9pm on Black Friday and Saturday 28th. They have no plans to make alterations to standard arrangements in terms of managing customer flow and service.

MARKS & SPENCER

The M&S store at Cheshire Oaks
The M&S store at Cheshire Oaks

Marks & Spencer are getting in on the Black Friday action again this year. Despite a few minor problems with deliveries last year, boss Marc Bolland said the company have done a number of tests to see if its warehouse and website could handle the stress this year, and it seems they are now ready to go. Deals are yet to be revealed.

CURRYS/PC WORLD

Currys and PC World are set to open its doors an hour early at 8am on Black Friday. The retailer told Huffington Post UK that the chain will be celebrating Black Friday not just on the Friday but over the entire weekend as well, to ensure people in work don’t miss out on deals.

In fact they are expecting such a surge of activity on Black Friday Currys have created a form on their website for customers to register their interest in order to get the latest information on deals as and when they appear.

They have also issued some tips to deal with the chaos of Black Friday, such as doing research online and having a quick wander around your local Currys store before the day itself to work out what you want to buy.

ARGOS

Argos have launched their Red, White and Blue Fridays deals, in the run up to Black Friday.

All offers are available for seven days in-store and online, and customers who need their items quickly can also use the newly launched fast-track delivery. Some of the deals available are the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 Inch Tablet (was £229 now £169), Vax Air U85-AC-Be Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner (was £219.99, now £99) and a black Breville Blend-Active Blender (was £49.99, now £24.99).

TESCO

Stores will close between 10pm and 12am to allow additional time for setting up, before opening at midnight (excluding stores which open at 6am). Store managers will be on the premises during the event to assist shoppers in the hunt for bargains.

ASDA

Asda have announced they will not be taking part in this year’s shopping discount day known as Black Friday, despite starting off the event two years ago.

Last year police were called to various Asda stores due to customers causing carnage and fighting over bargains.

“The decision to step away from Black Friday is not about the event itself,” said Asda’s chief executive Andy Clarke. “Over the last two years we’ve developed an organised, well-executed plan, but this year customers have told us loud and clear that they don’t want to be held hostage to a day or two of sales.”

APPLE

The company tends to keep details of deals and promotions top secret until the very last minute but expect discounts on everything from the new iPad Air 2, MacBook, iMac to a whole range of accessories as well.

Others retailers who offered deals last year and are expected to get involved again this Black Friday include: AO.com, ASOS, Boots, British Airways, Carphone Warehouse, eBay, Game, Halfords, House of Fraser, Lakeland, Maplin, Sainsbury’s, and Superdrug.

BLACK FRIDAY

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