Black Friday’s best deals in Western European markets
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium. This is the list of European countries where the most money is spent during Black Friday. The occasion that arrived in Europe from the United States has also become an opportunity for us to anticipate Christmas presents. Not least because the initiatives of brands and shops, offline and online, last more than a week and sometimes even the whole month of November.
If it is impossible to replicate the success of 2020, the year in which lockdown and Covid-19 pushed e-commerce to its peak (although the overall figures for Black Friday and Cyber Monday were lower than in previous years, precisely because millions of people shopped online throughout the year, spending less in the two weeks of November considered), a study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) revealed that in some European countries this year there will be less business than last year.
A turnaround that is not surprising, as it is due to the global recession and rising energy and food prices. Two bogeymen are holding consumers back, causing changes in shopping patterns: people are buying less and more wisely, trying to secure bargains and useful rather than desired products. This is why BCG estimates that the French and Germans are likely to spend up to 15% less than in 2021, with less sharp reductions also present in Spain, Switzerland, the UK and Italy. Of the nine countries analysed, the arrow of buying and selling also goes south in Australia and Brazil, with an increase expected only in the US.
Although it is impossible to provide a roundup of the most exciting offers in the various European markets, we offer you a list of discounts in the main European markets, reminding you that you may not find availability due to products that have sold out. This is a frequent occurrence due to the strong increase in online shoppers and device markdowns sold up to 60% below the original prices.
France
1) Smartphone
One bargain to grab for those on the hunt for an Android smartphone is the Samsung Galaxy S22 in the 128GB version, which is offered at 599 euros on the Korean company’s website. You can choose one of the five available colours (green, black, white, lavender and rose gold).
2) Electric broom
An attractive double promotion comes from Philips, which offers the SpeedPro Max electric broom for €295 (instead of €429). Less than 30% off the price tag for a model with a 360° brush that vacuums along skirting boards and on all surfaces: carpet, tiles, and rugs.
3) Purifier
Those who want clean air in their home or office can look instead to the 2000i Series air purifier, which also functions as a humidifier. Ideal for rooms up to 85 square metres, it humidifies the air at a rate of 600 ml/h. From 429.99 euros, you can get it now for 285 euros.
Spain
4) Notebook
Do you need a laptop dedicated to gaming? Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3 may be a good solution. With a 15.6” display, 16GB Ram, 512GB storage and Windows 11 operating system, it is offered at MediaMarkt for 799 euros instead of 1,099 euros.
5) Tumble dryer
They’ve been all the rage lately, so if you’re considering buying a tumble dryer, consider Bosch‘s easy-to-install model in white, with a 9kg load capacity and 15 programmes to use depending on fabrics and needs. From the initial €820, it now costs €549.
6) Smartphone
In addition to very affordable reductions for Samsung’s S series phones, the Oppo Find X5 in the 8GB Ram and 256GB storage denomination is on sale for 799 euros, 200 less than the price tag. Available in black or white, this flagship phone is at its best in shooting and recording, particularly at night.
Germany
7) MacBook
It is not the latest model, which you would never find discounted, but the MacBook Air remains a guarantee even in the 2020 edition. Not least because it is equipped with the M1 processor developed by Apple. Then there’s the 13.3-inch display, 8GB of Ram, 256GB of storage and the usual features that Mac enthusiasts are familiar with. Here you can get it for 949 euros (compared to the expected 1,129 euros), with ten rates of 94 euros.
8) Electric toothbrush
Devices are essential, but personal hygiene is more so, so if you are looking for a bargain, here is the Pulsonic Slim Luxe 4100 electric toothbrush from Oral-B (which stands out in rose gold). Especially useful for those who have never tried electric toothbrushing (you’ll hardly go back), this model offered here at half price (€66 instead of €129.99) is ideal for satiating curiosity or renewing your existing toothbrush.
9) Console
Whether it’s for you or a Christmas present for children or grandchildren makes little difference because the discount is attractive for securing the Xbox Series S, the American brand’s most compact and slimmest console ever. The version in question has 512GB, and even the Game Pass Ultimate allows you to play as many titles and as many friends online. Here you get it for 229 euros.
UNITED KINGDOM
10) Smartwatch
Newly arrived on the market, the Pixel Watch presents itself as an alternative to Apple’s Watch. Everything is different from its rival, from the circular design to the rotating crown and curved display. Including Wear OS and some functions that Big G has taken over from the FitBit models by virtue of its acquisition of the smartwatch brand. It’s not a huge discount, but for many curious people, the £359 LTE model may be the start of putting a new watch on their wrist.
11) Electric shaver
Efficient and gentle, Braun’s Series 9 Pro shaver relies on the ProLift trimmer to lift and trim long, flat hairs, while Sonic technology speeds up shaving without losing cutting precision. It can be used with foam, gel or in the shower, has a battery life of about a month and is super discounted: from £499 to £199.
12) Headphones
Elegant and robust, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX headphones combine comfort and durability, as they don’t tire the ear and ensure a battery life of more than 30 hours before they wear out. Equipped with excellent noise-cancelling technology, they can be had for £279 instead of £449. However, the advice is to hurry as they may sell out quickly.
Italy
13) TV
A piece of furniture to turn on when you want to watch television. This is The Frame by Samsung, the TV that becomes a picture, even choosing the frame for the occasion. Optimal vision and colours thanks to Quantum Dot and Dual Led technology, compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Bixby for voice control and connection to the PC wirelessly, it is truly a product with a dual soul, available at prices reduced by up to 51% in the 43, 55, 65 and 75-inch models.
14) Smartphone
The Chinese manufacturer’s catalogue offers many options at discounted prices, but the Xiaomi 12 stands out from the rest. The 8GB of Ram and 256GB of storage version of the device is on sale for 599.90 euros, 200 less than the standard price. From the 6.28-inch Amoled display to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip to the triple rear camera and 4500mAh battery that supports 67W turbo charging and 50W wireless charging, the smartphone at this price is a great bargain.
15) Laptop
16.1” 144 Hz display with Low Blue Light TÜV Rheinland certification to avoid eye fatigue, dual S-fans and dual heatsink cooling system with large diameter, with fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, 16GB of Ram and 512GB of storage. These are some features of the Honor MagicBook 16, the notebook that weighs 1.84 kg and is 18.2 millimetres thick, on offer for €679.90 (down from the original €999).
