Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2026: How to Bag Genuine Bargains (and Ignore the Hype)
Have you noticed the “early Black Friday” emails landing in your inbox already? You’re not imagining it. Black Friday is on Friday 27 November this year, with Cyber Monday following on 30 November, but many shops now start their offers weeks in advance. With a month of “limited time only” banners ahead, here’s how to make sure you bag genuine bargains rather than falling for clever marketing. Know the key dates Now to mid-November: early deals and previews start popping up. Black Friday, 27 November: usually the busiest day for offers, both online and in store. Black Friday weekend: many deals carry on through Saturday and Sunday. Cyber Monday, 30 November: traditionally the big day for online deals, though many offers now run across the whole weekend. Knowing the calendar means you can plan, rather than panic-buy. Make your list before the sales start The best way to beat the hype is to decide what you actually need before the countdown timers appear. Write a list. ...