Record numbers of UK shoppers set to buy over Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend
Record numbers of UK consumers plan to take advantage of the deals on offer during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, according to new research from the consumer delivery specialist Hermes. According to Hermes, 67% of the 2,000 UK shoppers interviewed in its survey said that they planned to snap up the offers, 27% said that they were undecided and only 6% said they would definitely not be taking part.
“This is in stark contrast to twelve months ago when 43% of people said they didn’t purchase a single item during the weekend that is famed for huge discounts,” said Hermes.
Hermes added: “The research revealed that 41% of consumers will frantically shop both in-store and online in a bid to snare the very best deals. A further 31% said they would prefer to browse for online bargains from the comfort of their armchairs, with a further 28% admitting they will battle the huge crowds for discounted products in-store.”
More than a third of consumers said that they planned to complete all of their Christmas shopping during the event. The 25 to 34-year old age group will be the most proactive with 51% of those quizzed ensuring all festive gifts are purchased during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, compared to just 11% of those aged 65 or over.
Not a single respondent aged between 18 and 24 said they would not embark on a shopping spree during the event, compared to 10% of those aged between 55 and 64.
Clothes topped the list of the most desired discounted items (41%), followed by CDs and DVDs (33%) and books (24%). A further 21% of consumers said they would use the opportunity to secure a reduced price on electrical items, such as laptops and smartphones.
Mark Pettit, Sales & Marketing Director, Hermes, said: “The Black Friday phenomenon is a fantastic opportunity for consumers to get their hands on discounted goods, so much so that almost two-thirds of people are now holding back from making purchases until the day itself. It is interesting to learn that the majority of consumers will now combine online and in-store shopping to secure the best deals.
“According to the IMRG, UK retail websites received a combined total of 181m visits during Black Friday 2014, with an estimated £810 million spent online. This year, commerce consultancy Salmon is predicting that Black Friday 2015 will be the very first £1bn online shopping day in the UK. Over recent months we have worked closely with our clients to finalise plans ahead of the peak season by analysing forecasted volumes and confirming collection schedules. In addition, we have made a significant investment in our infrastructure and technology that will allow us to continue to operate a highly efficient service at all times.”
