Black Friday has become a part of UK culture in recent years, with the flash sales viewed as an opportunity to buy early Christmas gifts at slashed prices. 

Originally an American tradition which sees huge discounts the day after Thanksgiving, it has now become a global phenomenon. 

It tends to mark one of the busiest shopping days of they year, and in 2017, UK retail sales in November grew faster than in December for the first time. 

Since the concept arrived in the UK in 2014, Black Friday has developed and evolved: last year Amazon offered discounts for the entire month of December, rather than a specific day. 

And after Black Friday the sales keep rolling in, with Cyber Monday and then the Christmas sales. 

Here's what you need to know about this year's Black Friday sales...

What date is Black Friday this year?

Black Friday will take place this year on Friday November 26. 

Black Friday officially begins at 12am, however the exact time sales start is at the discretion of independent retailers. 

The sales usually last the whole weekend until the end of Cyber Monday. 

However, based on previous years many shops will begin their sales weeks before, and continue for around a week ahead of the Christmas period. 

What is Cyber Monday? 

Cyber Monday is an initiative launched by retailers to encourage people to shop online and is viewed as an online equivalent to Black Friday. 

It has previously been named the busiest online shopping day of the year in the UK and this year, Cyber Monday will take place on November 29.

What can I get in the Black Friday sales?

Black Friday is your chance to grab a bargain on everything from clothes to technology. 

While it is up to independent retailers whether or not they put on a sale, many use it as an opportunity to boost sales ahead of the Christmas rush. 

It is a good chance to get to grips with your Christmas shopping, but you will need to be quick as deals can cause websites to crash and items to sell out quickly.