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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Sarah Butler

Black Friday online sales in UK rise by 12% but shops still feel the pinch

Black Friday United Kingdom Jenni Matthews MRI Software Nationwide
shoppers in warm clothing pass a 'black friday week' sign in edinburgh, scotland
The number of visitors to shopping destinations was down by 0.5% on last year by 1pm, say analysts at MRI Software, led by a 2.5% slump on high streets. Photograph: Rich Dyson/Alamy

UK shoppers visited websites in droves to snap up Black Friday bargains, raising hopes among struggling retailers that the US-inspired promotional day would finally kickstart a festive spending spree.

After a tough October and start to November for UK retailers, the number of transactions made by Nationwide Building Society members was up 12% by 1pm compared with Black Friday last year and was 16% up on 2022.

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