THE biggest day of cut-price sales in America starts today - but there are bargains to be had on 'Black Friday' here in Glasgow too.

Black Friday signals the start of the US festive shopping season, coming the day after the nation celebrates Thanksgiving.

The day got its name because of the mad rush to the shops to bag bargains.

Now UK retailers have joined the Black Friday sales.

Kathy Murdoch, centre manager at Buchanan Galleries, said:  “A number of retailers are celebrating Black Friday with discounts across the centre, so we are expecting a busy day ahead.

“LEGO will be hosting its own Brick Friday, while La Senza will be hosting a Black Friday sale and John Lewis will be offering up to 50% off hundreds of electrical and home technology.

“Black Friday really marks the start of our busy shopping period and people will have been paid this week so it’s the time to start getting organised for Christmas.

“Buchanan Galleries always has a tremendous atmosphere at this time of year, with the retailers going that extra mile to ensure all shoppers find that perfect gift, and this Christmas will be no different.”

The Silverburn mall on the South Side will attract some bargain hunters, thanks mainly to Debenhams' Black Friday sale.

The store's Big Gift Event will see prices slashed by up to 30% across all departments.

And House of Fraser is running a two-day event, which will see prices cut by up to 40%.

Susan Reid, sales director for Debenhams North, said: "The British high street is embracing the American Black Friday phenomenon.

"It gives consumers better deals and more choice pre-Christmas."

Also at Silverburn, Clarks is offering 20% off all adult footwear and Kurt Geiger is cutting 25% off everything including sale items.

And H&M is giving a 20% student discount.

Smaller shops have also got in on the act.

Glasgow-based clothing brand Abandon Ship Apparel is holding a Black Friday sale today.

The company was a finalist in Glasgow's Favourite Business 2013 awards, run by the Evening Times.

As reported earlier, the firm recently opened a pop-up shop in Princes Square.

Abandon Ship's Jen Fisher said: "Shoppers from around the world will get the same discounts today as our friends in America.

"Black Friday is very much a US thing but it is growing in the UK every year."

Asda, owned by US giant Wal-Mart, has also bought into Black Friday in a big way.

Its UK stores will offer savings on thousands of products today.

Plasma TVs, smart phones, toys and tablet PCs are heavily discounted with the chain saying it expects some deals to sell-out.

The in-store only sale started today at 8am.

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk

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