RETAILERS were left with an empty feeling on Black Friday yesterday as many customers chose to stay away.
The promise of bumper annual deals failed to entice punters into stores jam-packed in past years.
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But it was still likely to be the biggest sales day of 2022, while worst-case fears were allayed by sunny weather and a World Cup “feelgood factor”.
Economists said the first Black Friday without Covid restrictions since 2019 was blunted by the cost of living crisis.
Online shopping also meant morning footfall yesterday was around 22 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels.
The aisles were quiet at Asda in Wembley — which saw scenes of carnage on Black Friday in 2014 as shoppers scrapped over electrical deals.
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Nationwide sales in the morning were said to be the same as last year, when Omicron surges kept many at home.
Stores that would have previously attracted queues of overnight campers — like the Apple Store in Regent Street — instead reported business as usual.
Barclaycard Payments head Marc Pettican said: “Black Friday is off to a steady start, despite the challenging economic backdrop.
“It’s likely the feelgood factor in the run-up to the World Cup has given retail and hospitality a boost.”
Currys said rocketing bills boosted sales of energy-efficient air fryers, with more than 18,000 snapped up in a week.
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