Explore the origin and evolution of Black Friday, why it matters to shoppers and retailers, and how to make the most of Black Friday 2025 deals from Amazon , Walmart , and more.
Key Takeaways
- Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving; it’s known for major price drops and the kickoff of holiday shopping worldwide.
- Originated in the 1960s Philadelphia—name described chaotic shopping crowds and traffic.
- “Black” means profits: Retailers hope to go from “in the red” (losses) to “in the black” on this day.
- In 2025, deals run for weeks—online sales are as important as stores, with early access and record discounts.
- Most popular deals: Tech (smartphones, TVs, laptops), fashion, home, and travel essentials.
Table of Contents
Why Is Black Friday Special?
Black Friday has grown from a local shopping day in the U.S. to a global event involving billions in sales. In 2025, retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Target , and Apple launch week-long sales across every category—online and in stores.
Top Black Friday 2025 Retailers
Many deals begin early, and the biggest discounts are often on tech gadgets, appliances, and trendy fashion.
PS5 Black Friday 2025 UK — Price Drops & Bundle Deals
| Model / Bundle | Sale Price (GBP) | Usual RRP (GBP) | Discount / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 Digital Edition | £294.99 | £429.99 | Lowest-ever UK price (£135 off) |
| PS5 Digital Edition + Sports FC26 | £294.99 | ~£429.99 | Game bundle at no extra cost |
| PS5 Slim (Disc Edition) | £389.99 | £479.99 | £90 off, best price for Disc model |
| Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle (Digital) | £294.99 | ~£429.99 | Includes console + game, same as base price |
| PS5 Slim Digital EA Sports FC26 Bundle | £418 | £485.99 | Game bundle deal (EE.co.uk offer) |
| PS5 Pro | £609.99 | £699.99 | £90 discount; top-spec, 2TB SSD, 8K graphics |
| PS5 Pro EA Sports FC26 Bundle | £609.99 | ~£699.99 | Bundle at same price as standalone Pro |
| Ghost of Yotei Bundle | £519.99 | NA | Limited edition, includes artwork/game |
| 30th Anniversary Limited Edition | £294.99 | ~£429.99 | Nostalgic grey finish, £135 off |
| PlayStation Portal (accessory) | £170 | £200 | £30 accessory discount |
| PS VR2 (accessory) | £399.99 | £529.99 | £130 off virtual reality headset |
| DualSense controllers | From £40 | £60 | £20+ savings, colours vary |
| PS5 gaming earbuds/headset | Deal varies | ~£90–£150 | Up to 40% off, select brands/styles |
Note: Discounts found at PlayStation Direct, Amazon, Very, Currys, Argos & more for the UK market. Accessories, limited editions, and bundles also see major savings. Prices and offers subject to change and stock availability.
Black Friday Timeline & Highlights
| Year/Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 1869 | “Black Friday” first used to describe a financial crash on Wall Street |
| 1950s-60s | Philadelphia police coined Black Friday for post-Thanksgiving shopping chaos |
| 1980s | “Red to Black” narrative spread—retailers embrace Black Friday as profit day |
| 2000s | Online deals (Amazon, eBay) turn Black Friday into a week-long digital event |
| 2025 | Early deals, global sales, new discounts across tech, home, travel & fashion |
The Real Meaning: Why “Black Friday”?
- The name began as a negative term for hectic crowds.
- Retailers later rebranded it as a “profit day”—meaning their ledgers went from red (loss) to black (profit) thanks to booming sales.
- By the 1980s, Black Friday marked the start of the critical holiday shopping season in the U.S. and quickly spread worldwide.
“Retailers managed to shift the meaning to signify the transition of their finances from losses (red ink) to profits (black ink).”
— Ben Zimmer, Vocabulary.com, via The New York Times
How to Win Black Friday 2025 Deals
- Start Early: Most deals go live before Black Friday; monitor prices using deal trackers.
- Compare Prices: Use apps and websites for real-time comparisons across retailers.
- Tech Tips: Major savings on smartphones, TVs, laptops, headphones, and smart home devices (watch out for early release deals from Apple , Samsung , etc.).
- Fashion & Home: Track discounts on brands like Adidas , Nike , and major department stores.
- Travel Essentials: Some top holiday deals include luggage, flights, and hotel bookings.
Global Reach & 2025 Shopping Trends
Black Friday now includes sales in India, the UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Sites like Flipkart, H&M, Zara, Nykaa, and Mamaearth offer huge deals on everything from technology to skincare.
This year:
- Online First: Shopping moved online; brick-and-mortar lines are shorter, but digital carts fill fast.
- Deals Last Weeks: Early access and “Black November” trends mean big discounts beyond Friday itself.
- Shop Smart: Look out for bundled offers, loyalty points, and free shipping perks.
What’s Next for Black Friday
- Expect new kinds of deals—personalized offers, AI-powered recommendations, and more digital access.
- Cyber Monday follows Black Friday, extending discounts into the next week.
- Small Business Saturday encourages shopping local after the big chains.
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