Tomorrow is the new Boxing Day for people want to pick up a bargain.
Black Friday is hitting our shops starting at midnight tonight with most of the major chains in Exeter following the example set by our cousins on the other side of Atlantic.
Those taking part in the shopping frenzy, which is already predicted to be busier than the traditional Boxing Day sales, include the large branches of Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's. Some of the biggest discounts are expected to come on electrical goods such as TVs and computer equipment.
All the major department stores are running special offers and John Lewis, which has a store on the High Street, plans to open at 8am.
As ever, the department store has pledged to match any of the prices offered by its rivals. Most of its Black Friday deals will be on electrical goods.
A small selection of products included in the sale are cast in shadow of the John Lewis website, but we're sure one is the Samsung Galaxy S Tab 10.5 (currently £399), while another is the Canon PowerShot S200 digital camera (currently £229).
There will also be major discounts on John Lewis' own-brand HD televisions (currently ranging from £899 to £1,399), as well as a Ted Baker DAB radio and Bluetooth speaker (currently £200) and a De'Longhi coffee machine, which is currently priced at £1,029.
Boots and House of Fraser are also joining in and even Apple, which is famous for keeping control of the prices on all its products will be offering discounts.
Barry Williams from the CBI said stores across the country are expecting a busy day.
He said: "It is no secret that it has been a demanding year for the retail industry but shopkeepers haven't been pulling their punches when it comes to getting shoppers through their doors – borne out with the lowest essential item inflation in five years and growing online sales.
"We're seeing encouraging signs that pressure on family budgets is letting up, and although there is some way to go with the broader economy, there can be some optimism for retailers and customers alike as we enter the crucial run up to Christmas.
"With prices under pressure and more firms adopting US-style Black Friday offers, retailers are expecting a boost and are certainly doing their best to put smiles on customers' faces and make it easy on their pockets."
Ayaz Alam, Asda's senior director of general merchandise, said: "Last year we were the first major retailer to bring Black Friday to the UK.
"This year, we've stepped it up a gear again and by working closely with Walmart – the godfather of Black Friday – we'll be bringing an even bigger and better sale to the UK than ever before."
Tesco stores will be offering discounts of up to 70 per cent on more than 200 electrical and entertainment products, such as HD-ready TVs, games consoles and coffee machines.
Rob Hattrell, Tesco general merchandise director, said he expected Black Friday to be more popular than its traditional Boxing Day sale.
"Black Friday now marks the real start of Christmas shopping and Tesco is recognising this with its Black Friday sale in-store and online," he said.
Tesco says it will offer £15 million of customer savings in total, which the spending frenzy beginning online and in-store from 12.01am on Friday.
