Black Friday trumps ‘Manic Monday’

Black Friday retains its festive spending crown despite predictions it would be conquered by newcomer Manic Monday.

Following predictions made by IMRG and Experian, Manic Monday failed to lure the coins out of consumers’ pockets, with shoppers spending less that they had on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Monday 8 December – the last day of guaranteed standard delivery for goods wanted before Christmas Day – generated £666m, falling shy of the £676.5m predicted by IMRG and Experian.

However, Manic Monday broke records, with online traffic growing by 24% compared to 2013.

Black Friday held on to the spending crown, raking in £810m, considerably more than the £555.5m forecasted by IMRG.

Giles Longhurst, general manager of consumer insight at Experian Marketing Services commented: “Following on from a record breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which clearly demonstrated that these traditionally US focussed discount shopping days have stuck in the UK retail calendar, Manic Monday has capped off a massive online retail season.

“The next major stop for online retailers will be the Boxing Day sales, which has for years been the focus for higher spend – the question is, will they continue to eclipse the huge Black Friday spending spree?”