One in 10 Brits 'will pull a sickie' as they plan on Black Friday shopping spree

A recent poll has revealed that one in 10 Brits are planning to fake illness this Black Friday. The survey of 2,000 adults showed that Brits are ready to make excuses such as having a cold or flu, and even food poisoning, to free up time for their Black Friday shopping spree.

The research was commissioned by cashback and rewards provider Rakuten. The company has joined forces with comedian and actor Ellie Taylor to create the 'Guide to Slack Friday', a set of tips designed to help Brits successfully take a sick day.

A massive 40% of eager bargain hunters plan to set their alarms for the early hour of 5:30am, aiming to grab deals early, while just over a quarter intend to use work hours to fully benefit from the sales. Those joining in the Black Friday madness expect to spend more than £400.

However, 34% of savvy shoppers have gathered an average of £176 worth of promotional codes, gift cards and vouchers throughout the year. Christmas presents top the shopping list, but a fifth will be splashing out on treats for themselves.

Meanwhile, a third of shoppers will use Black Friday to buy household necessities like soft furnishings, accessories and crockery. Other purchases include essentials for the family, including children's shoes, coats and backpacks, as well as an opportunity to get a head start on birthday gifts, reports the Mirror.

Rakuten's shopping and trends expert, Alex Stedman, shared his insights: "As we approach Black Friday, using cashback sites to buy your Christmas gifts, or anything else you need outside of Christmas, is an easy strategy to ensure you're getting the best deal."

He added, "Not only can you benefit from significant discounts during the sales period, but you also earn cashback on your purchases, creating a win-win situation."

He concluded by saying, "It's a simple way to maximise your budget."

When is Black Friday 2024:

Black Friday 2024 takes place this Friday, November 29. You can keep up to date with all the latest Black Friday bargains in our Black Friday live blog