Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/905944
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2017 News MARIA PACE BLACK Friday is internationally known as one full of deals. In Malta, sales are quickly increas- ing on the day, as stores are in- troducing more discounts and offers each year. This Friday marks the Ameri- can holiday, Black Friday, the day marked with discounts and sales throughout shops, kicking off the Christmas shopping season. Although mostly popular in the US and UK, the day has surged worldwide, with shops every- where introducing new deals each year. In Malta, Black Friday has quickly rocketed throughout recent years, with various shops opening late and having dis- counts on the day. The Point Shopping mall was the first place to promote the day in Malta, introducing extended hours and discounts over the years. This year, it will be open until midnight on the day, and all the shops inside will have dis- counted items. Other retail shops like Zara, Debenhams, Mina, Merlin and more will have dis- counts throughout the day. Malta International Airport has also jumped on the band- wagon this year. The retail shops The Vodafone, Samsonite, and Claire's at the airport will have discounts and sales on the day. MIA PRO Patricia Attard Darmanin said that although this is the first year, they are expecting more people than usual to visit the shops. "If people are looking for particu- lar items from the shops, they would rather come in on Black Friday, rather than another day," Attard Darmanin said. The day, however, is not just about discounts at retail shops, as internationally, people often look for offers on electronics and other gadgets on the day. In Malta, various shops are upping their game. For the second consecutive year, computer store Scan Malta will discount popular items, reaching up to 75% off on the day. The discounted items will be known in-store on the day. After a high level of sales last year, it is expecting this year's event to be even bigger. "We have been receiving calls and emails from people asking for products since last month," a Scan representa- tive said. "People often hold off from buying products and wait for Black Friday sales." For the third year, Forestals Malta will also have discounts this Friday. Executive Director Luke Tabone agreed that al- though it's very different from the American day, Maltese people tend to wait for Black Friday and hold off making pur- chases until then. Tabone said that there are usually a record amount of people shopping on the day, and are expecting noth- ing less this year. Offers at the store were announced before the day, and range from 50% off washing machines to high dis- counts on LED TVs. "This year we are doing what no other Maltese shop has ever done," Tabone said. "To have complete transparency about our products, we have listed the number of items we will have on offer." Interestingly, not all appliance stores think that the day is worth all the hype. Matthew Cutajar from Ultimate said that while they will have items discounted by up to 30%, they won't have a Black Friday campaign. Cutajar said that the store often has discounts going on through- out the year, and so they won't be pressing on Black Friday as a major event, and they don't ex- pect too much out of the day. Taking the concept to a literal level, furniture shop BoConcepts will also have discounts on the day. "For the third year, all Black and dark items in store and or- dered through customisation will be 20% off," Chief Operating Officer Anthony Mercieca said. Mercieca said that the day is becoming more popular with every passing year, and so he ex- pect more visitors this year. Interior store Lingonberries will have Black Friday sales for the first time this year. Owner Elton Buhagiar said that since the day is becoming more popular in Malta, it is a good op- portunity for discounts. and in fact the shop will have discounts on most items, ranging from 15% to 50%. Unlike other retail outlets, the sale will start on Friday, but will run for the next seven days. Black Friday sales in Malta on the rise with every passing year