SHOPPERS can benefit from a raft of bargains on the high street and online today as retailers mark Black Friday.

The event, which originates from the US, sees stores cut prices ahead of the Christmas sales boom and is expected to see UK shoppers spend more than £100bn.

In Swindon, the likes of H&M, John Lewis, Game, Argos are offering extra discounts on selected products in a bid to tempt bargain hunters.

And Nick Williams, marketing manager at the Swindon Outlet Centre, said customers could expect more money off their purchases.

“Traditionally, this weekend is our peak weekend as we build up to Christmas,” he said.

“Black Friday has built up in the UK in recent years and a lot of our brands are offering extra discounts on product ranges."

Jane Stewart, marketing manager at The Brunel, said: “Both the national names and the independent retailers are making the most of Black Friday.

“The Brunel retailers have offers of up to 60 per cent off and some of the offers are being extended across the weekend too.

“Black Friday looks like an opportunity for shoppers to get ahead on their Christmas shopping and save money.

"Many of the offers are available when shopping in store as well as on the internet, but by shopping in store you can take away the worry that the postman may not bring your gifts in time."

John Lewis at Home, at the Mannington Retail Park, opened at 8am, giving shoppers an early look at around 100 deals prepared especially for Black Friday.

A John Lewis spokesman said 2013 saw the day take hold in the UK.

“Although initially an American event, we began to see global technology brands like Apple offer their US discounts across the world,” he said.

“One year on, with customers now much more aware of the date and expecting to see great offers, Black Friday will be much bigger.

“It’s changing customer shopping patterns in the run-up to Christmas, taking over from Cyber Monday as the biggest online business day of the year.”

Meanwhile Rob Hattrell, general merchandise director at Tesco, said the chain was offering special deals on around 200 items, and expected Black Friday sales to surpass Boxing Day sales for the first time.

“Black Friday now marks the real start of Christmas shopping and Tesco is recognising this with its Black Friday sale in-store and online,” he said.

Sainsbury’s and Asda are also taking part.

Director of retail and operations at Sainsbury’s, Roger Burnley, said: “This is a great way to give our customers some fantastic deals on products before Christmas.

“It’s a competitive market, so it felt right to be part of the mix this year and kick off the busiest trading time of the year with a popular sales event."

Forecasters are predicting the buying bonanza will continue over the weekend, before Cyber Monday - December 2 - which analysts say will be the biggest online shopping day of the year.

What is Black Friday?

THE sales bonanza originated in the United States, and is the Friday following Thanksgiving, which is regarded as the start of the Christmas shopping season.

But there are several theories over the true origin of the name.

It was originally used in the US city of Philadelphia, where it referred to the heavy disruption caused by shoppers that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.

With Thanksgiving - the fourth Thursday of November - being a holiday, shops would be inundated the following day when they reopened, with many shoppers having the day off work.

Over the years it has seen retailers open earlier and earlier - with some in the States opening their doors as early as midnight in recent years - and offering massive discounts.

5 top deals available on Black Friday
GAME: FIFA 15 game for the Playstation 3.
WAS: £42.99 BLACK FRIDAY: £31.75

TOPSHOP: Petite faux fur teddy coat.
WAS: £79 BLACK FRIDAY: £40

AMAZON: Calvin Klein Eternity Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 100 ml. WAS: £56 BLACK FRIDAY: £26.48

H&M: Men’s chinos, slim fit. WERE: £19.99 BLACK FRIDAY: £10

ASDA: Polaroid 40inch TV. WAS: £219 BLACK FRIDAY: £139

Offers for shoppers to take advantage of at The Brunel, in Swindon, include:

  • John Anthony - 20% off autumn/winter wear all weekend
  • Boots – Black Friday event with a variety of offers
  • Miche Niche - 20% off FairTrade gifts and a range of vintage and retro clothing on Friday, November 28
  • The Fragrance Shop - 15% off all gift sets from Thursday, November 27, until Tuesday, December 2 
  • The Perfume Shop - Black Friday deals will run from Friday, November 28, until December 3 
  • Hawkins Bazaar – 10% off all full priced items on Friday, November 28 
  • H Samuel - Buy one get one half price on everything until Monday evening
  • Wallis - Up to 30% off everything until Monday and an extra 10% off sale items
  • Blue Inc: Up to 60% off thousands of selected lines until December 3 
  • The Little Rose Cottage: 30% off everything
  • Ann Summers 20% off everything until Tuesday
  • The Entertainer - Black Friday event November 28 - store opens at 8am
  • Starbucks: £1 off Holly & Christmas coffee blend all weekend