Amazon UK, probably Britain’s most trusted online retailer, is set to introduce the fabled “Black Friday Sales” in the United Kingdom for the first time next week, offering incredible discounts on more than 200 items (including Sony HDTVs at half price) in an unprecedented move that will surely interest bargain hunters and those who are looking to stock up Christmas gifts in advance.
In the USA, Black Friday refers to the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, and is traditionally marked by an avalanche of discount deals signifying the start of the Christmas shopping season. While largely unknown in the UK, the period surrounding Black Friday has over the years proven very fruitful for both retailers and consumers across the pond: last year American shoppers reportedly splashed out a staggering US $10 billion on Black Friday alone.
This year, Amazon is going to try and recreate the Black Friday phenomenon in the United Kingdom. The company’s “Black Friday Deals Week” promotion will start on Monday the 22nd of November, and continue for five days until Black Friday itself on the 26th of November 2010.
Over 200 products will be offered through flash deals on a first-come-first-served basis. A limited number of any particular promotional item will become available to buy at significant discount until the pre-set time limit is reached, or more likely, when stock runs out.
Among the discounted products promised in Amazon UK’s “Black Friday Deals Week” are Sony Bravia HDTV sets at half their RRP or regular Amazon.co.uk price. If these offers can be combined with the ongoing “Sony VAT Back” promotion, this means that qualifying Sony HDTVs can potentially be snapped up with massive savings of up to 57.5%.
Other Amazon UK Black Friday deals that may be of interest include Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii video game consoles at more than 60% off normal prices. To be informed as soon as the time-and-quantity-limited deals go live, customers can visit Amazon UK’s dedicated Black Friday portal, check their Facebook page, or follow their Twitter account.