1
Office for National Statistics. (2024, April). Internet Sales as a Percentage of Total Retail Sales (ratio) (%).
Anyone who enjoys shopping or needs to make a big purchase should keep an eye out for the UK’s biggest sale days. It's a chance to pick up a bargain on anything from technology and appliances to clothes and toys.
This article includes tips, suggestions and general information. We recommend that you always do your own research and consider getting independent tax, financial and legal advice before making any important decision.
And who doesn't want a deal? These big opportunities each year may help with sticking to a budget and snagging something needed for less.
Online sales make up just over 26% of all retail sales in the UK.1 During big sales events, shopping online isn’t just convenient but also offers the chance to save money.
To take advantage of these savings, here are the big sale days to add to the calendar:
Popularised in the US, Black Friday is an online sales event that takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving, with many retailers running promotions for that entire week.
In 2023, people in the UK spent £1.04 billion online during Black Friday sales.2 Popular products included micro scooters, puzzles, soft toys, slippers, gift boxes, and beauty products.
With Black Friday so near Christmas, it could be a great chance to get on top of festive shopping. Last year there was an average discount of 12%, making it one for the diary for anyone setting a budget for presents.3
The Monday following Black Friday is called Cyber Monday as online retailers continue to offer discounts. It represents another opportunity to find a bargain ahead of Christmas.
In 2023, 46.1% of people planned to use Cyber Monday to shop for electronics. This was closely followed by people shopping for clothing and footwear (44%) and toys (35%).4
Whether shopping from a speaker or smartphone, Cyber Monday discounts could help shoppers pick up the latest piece of tech or snap up some new outfits ahead of a busy festive season. Many people also take the opportunity to think beyond Christmas to birthdays and other special occasions.
Boxing Day sales aren't a new concept. While it once might have meant heading out of the house to politely battle other shoppers, it’s now possible to take advantage of those discounts from the comfort of the sofa.
Footfall to Boxing Day sales is slowly decreasing—many retailers even choose to stay closed on Boxing Day to keep Christmas staffing costs down.5 To balance this, online shopping is increasing. In 2023, there was a post-Christmas uptick of 51% in online sales compared to the week before.5 The most popular items were clothing and accessories.
Falling on the second Monday in December, Green Monday was coined by Shopping.com—which is part of eBay. It’s one of retail’s busiest shopping days as people make a final effort to complete their Christmas shopping.
Just like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Green Monday offers discounts across popular gift categories such as toys, electronics, and beauty products.
There’s always the temptation to snap up deals to avoid missing out on a bargain during online sales events. With a bit of planning, however, it’s possible to boost savings and avoid overspending. Here are some tips:
Generally, it’s safest to shop with popular, well-known retailers but it’s still possible to discover new brands and sites during an online shopping event. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Nothing is more important than a person’s safety and security online. With a bit of due diligence, it’s possible to enjoy the biggest sales events of the year while also protecting personal information and card details.
PayPal can be a good way to securely pay online and spread the cost of purchases. Whether someone is shopping to treat themselves or is buying for the family ahead of Christmas, they can take advantage of PayPal’s Pay Later options. Spreading out the costs can help make big purchases during online shopping events more manageable.
Pay Later: Pay in 3 is an unregulated credit agreement. Carefully consider whether the purchase is affordable and how you will make the repayments. Be aware of the possible impact of using Pay in 3 and of missing payments, including making other borrowing more difficult or more expensive. Pay in 3 eligibility is subject to status and approval. 18+ UK residents only. See product terms for more details. You can use Pay in 3 on purchases £30 - £2,000. Learn more. PayPal Credit: Representative 23.9% APR (variable) Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more.
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