Black Friday: Shoppers and stores on pre-Christmas purchases

While shop windows may herald the oncoming festive season, for many retailers Black Friday is a key part of their financial year. BBC News spoke to shoppers in Lincoln trying to find a bargain and the stores trying to get their tills ringing in the run-up to Christmas.

Busy mum Kayleigh Lingard is clear what Black Friday means to her as a shopper: "It's important to me to get a good bargain."

Ms Lingard, who has children aged two, seven, 11 and 14, was intent on making the family budget for Christmas stretch as far as possible.

That included making the most of the day - which she took off work to ensure the maximum time to hunt down the things she wanted for her family.

"Times are hard and we've got four children so we've been doing the Christmas shopping and clothes shopping.

"We've been sensible and haven't bought things we didn't need but because of the deals and offers it's better for us," she explained.

Mike and Chris May had hit the High Street to buy for their six grandchildren who range in age between 18 and 31.

"You cannot just fob them off with a book at that age" Mrs May chuckled.

"I'm pleased with my loot. My husband has bought me two handbags because we got 30% off."

Black Friday takes places on the Friday after the US holiday of Thanksgiving.

As it's not a holiday over here, there's often a lack of certainty about when it is from UK shoppers.

Mrs May said: "The thing that confuses me is that it seems to have been going on for about three weeks. I didn't realise it was today - we've been getting emails for weeks and weeks about it.

"I think it's a good idea - especially if you're on a pension and can save some pennies."

Mr May added a note of caution: "It's probably a good idea but I think people need to be careful they don't buy something they could have bought cheaper in January."

Black Friday has cemented its place in the British retail calendar since it crossed the pond about a decade ago.

It began with a big bang of large-screen TVs for small prices but reports of trouble among shoppers saw many avoid stores.

Now, 10 years or so on, it's a more sedate affair, in keeping with the norms of UK retail.

Ciara Pinder-Smith owns Arc Jewellables vintage shop, but instead of a 24-hour flash sale, her store has trimmed prices for the month of December.

"If something is affordable it makes you want to go and browse.

"It's better to do a longer offer so people have time to come in and it doesn't go mad on the one day, " she explained.

For Julie Winter, who works at clothes shop Equus Women, it's a day when people expect a bargain and the High Street can fight back against online retail.

"Everyone wants a good deal," she said.

"We try to advertise them in the window. It used to be that we'd only do it on the Friday but now it is a week-long promotion. It definitely helps to get people into the shops.

"A lot of people shop online now, but if they know there's a special offer on the High Street they'll come out.

"They can see things and touch them which you can't do online."

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