Black Friday 2018 is set to be another fantastic shopping extravaganza, packed full of amazing deals and deep discounts to take advantage of. 

As we begin to head towards the biggest shopping event of the year, The Alloa Advertiser is here with lots of handy tips, tricks and advice to help you get the most value for your money this Black Friday. 

So, let’s get started, shall we? 

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What is Black Friday? 

Traditionally in the USA, Black Friday is the day after the Thanksgiving holiday, which has often been the biggest shopping day of the year. The name “Black Friday” seems to be linked to how businesses record their finances - losses are written in red ink, while profits are recorded in black ink. 

In recent years Black Friday has been drifting across the pond more and more, gradually becoming a huge shopping event here in the UK too. Now almost every major store or high street brand has some sort of Black Friday event going on each year. 

On Black Friday you can expect to see massive discounts across a giant range of products, meaning it’s the perfect time to pick up that something special you’ve had your eye on, or to get in some savings on your Christmas shopping.  

When is Black Friday? 

While we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK, Black Friday still takes places on the same date as in the US. This year Black Friday is on the 23rd of November – so make sure to pop that date in your calendar! 

When do Black Friday deals start? 

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Black Friday queue - Credit baona, iStockBlack Friday queue - Credit baona, iStock

More and more retailers are starting their Black Friday celebrations earlier, with midnight openings at some selected stores. Some stores may also stay open later than usual to get the most out of the day, so you should be able to fit in some savings – no matter your schedule.  

If you’re eager to get started with your Black Friday savings and don’t want to miss out on any potential deals, we recommend checking online with retailers to find out when your local store is due to open. 

What stores should I look out for on Black Friday? 

You’ll find Black Friday deals and savings in many stores this year, including some of the biggest brands on the high street. At The Alloa Advertiser we’ve got you covered with some of the best offers you’re going to find this Black Friday.  

We’ve even made things easy for you, by making this list of some of the essential stores you should look out for this Black Friday. 

  • Argos* – from a new TV to jewellery and everything in between, you can look forward to snapping up savings across the whole Argos catalogue. 
  • Debenhams* – deals on homeware and furniture make Debenhams the one to watch if you’re after ways to save on new additions to your home. 
  • Halfords* – pick up a brand-new bike for less - and they’ll even build it for you, so you don’t have to fiddle with any tools. 
  • Smyths – save on this year’s biggest toys and get your Christmas shopping started with a bang. 
  • Footlocker – kit yourself out in style without spending a bundle, with Black Friday savings expected on footwear and clothing from Footlocker. 

There are lots of other stores that you can save at with us this Black Friday, just click here* to find even more ways to save. 

What sort of deals can I get on Black Friday? 

On Black Friday you can look forward to finding deals on almost anything, from fantastic homeware to killer technology. Deals can range from small savings to huge discounts on big purchases, so you never know quite what you’ll find. 

Looking for something in particular? Not quite sure where to start? Try checking our category pages for all the best Black Friday deals in one place: 

Can I save at home on Black Friday? 

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Black Friday shopping at home - Credit DESIGNECOLOGIS, Unsplash Black Friday shopping at home - Credit DESIGNECOLOGIS, Unsplash

While the popular image of Black Friday is often of people camping outside stores waiting to grab the best deals, you can actually save in plenty of ways from the comfort of your own home.  

Many retailers have Black Friday deals for you to nab on their online stores, so you can enjoy the deep savings of Black Friday without having to brave the crowds.  

If you’re up to the challenge and queues, then you can sometimes find exclusive flash sales in-store on Black Friday, so it can be well worth the extra effort. Just remember to check here on The Alloa Advertiser first, so you don’t miss out on even more opportunities to save. 

What does Cyber Monday have to do with Black Friday? 

You might have heard about Black Friday’s sister shopping event, Cyber Monday – but what exactly is it? 

Cyber Monday is the online equivalent of Black Friday and takes place on the following Monday (the 26th of November this year). It’s the perfect opportunity to grab even more savings after the fun of Black Friday, with lots of online retailers offering important discounts. 

Cyber Monday often has big savings to be made on Technology*, including deals on TVs and Laptops. So, don’t worry if you missed out on Black Friday, there are still plenty of saving occasions on Cyber Monday. 

How can I find the best Black Friday deals? 

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Busy Black Friday shopping - Credit VictorHuang, iStock Busy Black Friday shopping - Credit VictorHuang, iStock

You’re in the right place! 

We've been working our hardest to bring you all the best deals and savings this Black Friday. With everything from Men’s Fashion* to Health and Beauty*, you won’t find better places to save than right here on Black Friday. 

So, with just a little help from us, you can look forward to getting the very most out of this Black Friday in one convenient spot – what more could you want?