Black Friday shopping crowds cause mayhem in many stores across UK

Retail stores all over the UK have been filled with frenzied shoppers during the Black Friday sales.

Originated in the US, Black Friday has gained popularity in the UK over the last few years. Yesterday people went shopping-crazy, with heavy discounts offered by stores and retailers on clothes, technology and other material goods.

Police were called to major disturbances in Manchester’s Tesco stores, with three men being arrested. Many also became innocent casualties of the day: a television fell on a woman in Stretford, and another lady was knocked to the ground in Wembley’s Asda store.

Credit card giant Visa Europe has revealed a massive £518 million of sales made on its cards yesterday. Springboard, a retail intelligence expert, has reported a 10% increase in UK shoppers on high streets, in shopping centres and retail parks.

Diane Wehrle, marketing and insights director of Springboard, stated: “Last year we saw a marked increase in shopping footfall due to Black Friday coming just after the last payday.”

Amazon is predicting this week to be its busiest week of the year, with four million items expected to be ordered online. The online retail giant first started Black Friday sales in 2010. This set the trend, with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and other supermarkets following suit.

                                                                                     Halimat Shode