Origins: Why is it called "Black Friday"?
The term "Black Friday" has worn a few hats over the decades. In nineteenth-century America it described financial turmoil; by the mid-twentieth century it was a tongue-in-cheek phrase used by Philadelphia police to capture the day-after-Thanksgiving congestion and chaos. Later, retailers embraced a friendlier interpretation: the point in the year when accounts moved "from red to black".
In modern retail, Black Friday has become shorthand for aggressive promotions that kick-off the peak gifting season--often extending well beyond a single day.
Arrival in the UK: A brief timeline
2010-2012: Online first
UK awareness accelerated when major e-commerce players introduced US-style November promotions. Early activity lived online, testing shopper appetite and fulfilment capacity.
2013-2015: The high-street joins in
Big box and grocery multiples trialled in-store events. The media spotlight made Black Friday a household phrase, and retailers quickly adapted operations, staffing, and security.
2016-2019: From day to season
Promotions stretched into a full week and synced with Cyber Monday. Retailers leaned on omnichannel tactics, balancing website demand with click-and-collect and showrooms.
2020-present: Digital dominance, smarter deals
With online shopping firmly embedded, retailers now stage earlier teasers, use more transparent pricing, and focus on service, delivery promises, and customer protection.
How Black Friday evolved in Britain
From flash sales to planned programmes
Early UK Black Fridays were surprise-driven: limited stock, narrow time windows, and social buzz. Today, most retailers deploy structured calendars, product caps, and clear messaging that spreads demand across multiple days to protect service levels.
Omnichannel by default
The UK event is now a choreography of web, mobile, and physical retail. Click-and-collect smooths last-mile peaks, while in-store demos and expert advice keep showrooms relevant--especially for high-consideration categories like golf trolleys, GPS devices, and rangefinders.
Trust, transparency, and timing
Shoppers have grown more discerning. Genuine price comparisons, clear warranty terms, and realistic delivery dates matter as much as the headline discount. Many brands seed offers earlier in November to secure attention before inboxes fill.
Impact on retailers and shoppers
For retailers
- Revenue catalyst: Kicks off the peak season and sets December momentum.
- Operational stretch: Warehousing, carrier capacity, and support queues all spike.
- Margin management: Accessory bundles and value-adds protect profitability.
- Reputation risk: Sites must scale; pricing and promises must be accurate.
For shoppers
- Better windows to buy: Upgrades become more accessible.
- Decision overload: More options require clearer comparisons.
- Delivery diligence: Lead times, returns, and support need checking.
- Security savvy: Shop trusted retailers and avoid too-good-to-be-true offers.
Black Friday vs Boxing Day
Boxing Day once dominated British discounting. Through the 2010s, Black Friday pulled more spend into November as shoppers sought pre-Christmas savings. Today, both dates matter--yet Black Friday often acts as the season's launchpad, while Boxing Day clears seasonal lines and last-chance sizes.
What this means for golf shoppers at ClickGolf
Good news for golfers: Black Friday is an excellent time to invest in long-life kit such as electric trolleys, GPS watches, rangefinders, premium stand and cart bags, and all-weather apparel.
Categories that shine
- Electric trolleys: Look for bundle values (lithium upgrades, free accessories, extended warranties).
- Tech & GPS: Past-season models and colour variants can deliver standout pricing.
- Golf bags & luggage: Travel covers and cart bags frequently headline weekend promos.
- Apparel & footwear: Cold-weather layers and waterproofs align perfectly with winter golf.
We publish our best offers on the ClickGolf Black Friday page and refresh them across the event window. For early access, sign up to our newsletter or check the site the week before.
See current Black Friday offersKey UK milestones at a glance
| Year/Period | Milestone | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| 2010-2012 | Online adoption | Early UK awareness via e-commerce; rapid traffic spikes and sell-outs. |
| 2013-2015 | High-street events | Major in-store promotions make Black Friday mainstream in Britain. |
| 2016-2019 | Black Week + Cyber Monday | Deal windows extend; omnichannel strategies mature. |
| 2020-present | Digital first, smarter pricing | Earlier teasers, clearer policies, stronger delivery and returns playbooks. |
Smart buying tips for golf gear
- Set a target list: Focus on items you'll use weekly (e.g. trolley, waterproofs, GPS). Impulse buys add up quickly.
- Check the spec, not just the price: Battery type and capacity on trolleys, sensor sets on GPS, seam sealing on jackets.
- Seek bundles: Free accessories, extended warranties, or ball multi-buys often beat a plain percentage discount.
- Confirm delivery and returns: High-demand weekends can strain couriers; choose retailers with clear policies.
- Compare across colours and models: Non-core colours or prior-season tech can be exceptional value.
- Create an account in advance: Faster checkout reduces the chance of missing limited-stock offers.
- Watch for restocks: Some deals are replenished across the weekend--refresh the page or sign up for alerts.
Pro tip: Use the site search and filters. Narrow by brand, battery type, size, or price band to reach your best match faster. Keyboard shortcut: / to jump to search in many browsers.
Black Friday UK: FAQs
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday falls on the Friday after the US Thanksgiving holiday, placing it in late November. Many UK retailers begin offers earlier in the week and continue through Cyber Monday.
Are Black Friday prices the lowest of the year?
Often, but not always. The most reliable savings appear on last-season colours, bundles, or category-leading products with strong stock. Winter apparel and tech regularly see standout pricing.
How does delivery work during the event?
Carriers are busy. Order early, choose tracked services, and check estimated delivery windows on the product page and at checkout.
Do ClickGolf offers run in-store as well as online?
We are an online specialist. Our Black Friday page aggregates live offers with clear availability and shipping information.
