A new report released today by Retail Week, in association with Microsoft, reveals more consumers are planning to spend on Black Friday this year than did last year, and suggests the UK could be heading for its first £1bn online shopping day.

The survey on the spending plans of 1,000 consumers in the run up to Christmas shows the growing popularity of Black Friday – 19% of consumers say they bought something on the Sales day in 2014 compared with 34% who plan to do a portion of their festive shopping on November 27 this year.

According to separate figures from Experian and IMRG, an estimated £810m was spent online on Black Friday last year – the biggest ever day for UK online sales. If sales figures increase in line with the planned consumer uptake of 15%, the UK could be heading for close to £1bn of sales on Black Friday 2015.

To find out more, read the interactive guide here.

The rise of Black Friday

From a US promotion to a UK phenomenon in just a few years, the fourth Friday of November is now firmly fixed in the retail calendar as a day of sales, promotions and, in some cases last year, pandemonium.

But perhaps surprisingly, Retail Week’s research shows that consumers had an overwhelmingly positive experience last year, with 96% who bought something on Black Friday in 2014 saying they were either very or quite satisfied.

When looking at how consumers shop on Black Friday, one thing is clear: online dominates. Of the consumers who made a purchase on Black Friday 2014, 58% did so via a PC or laptop for home delivery, while 29% used a mobile device and opted for home delivery. A third ventured out to buy a product to take home immediately, and 11% purchased in store for home delivery.

For more insights into what consumers are planning for the golden quarter, the full report can be viewed here: www.retail-week.com/planningforpeak