Black Friday now stretches across several weeks rather than a single day, which means the shoppers who benefit most tend to be the ones who plan ahead rather than those who wait to see what turns up. Building a shopping list early is one of the simplest ways to make the most of the sale period.

Start with what you actually need

Before the sales begin, it is worth writing down the items you are genuinely planning to buy, whether that is a specific gift, a household appliance, or something you have been putting off. Having a list in advance makes it much easier to recognise a good price when it appears, rather than being tempted into unplanned purchases by a big discount banner.

Note current prices where you can

Keeping a rough note of what your list items normally cost, either from a recent purchase or a quick search, gives you a benchmark to judge Black Friday prices against. This makes it easier to spot when a discount is genuine, rather than a price that has simply returned to normal after being raised shortly beforehand.

Expect deals to appear at different times

Many retailers now release some offers early and hold others back for the final days of the sale period. Checking back regularly in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, rather than assuming everything will appear on the day itself, means you are less likely to miss an early deal on something from your list.

Set a budget before you start

Sales can create pressure to buy more than planned. Deciding on a budget in advance, and sticking to your list, helps make sure the money you save on individual items adds up to a genuine saving overall, rather than being spent on extra purchases made in the moment.

CheckoutDeals will be tracking deals and discount codes from a wide range of UK retailers throughout the Black Friday period, making it easier to compare offers against the list you have already prepared.