It’s just over a week until Black Friday and swathes of UK retailers have already pushed the button on their sales.

The discounting event, an import from the US, has taken hold over the past few years and is now a huge sales driver. In fact, Black Friday is now make-or-break as far as Christmas trading is concerned.

But with consumer confidence at a low ebb and an election on the horizon, is Black Friday this year destined to fizzle rather than sizzle?

According to a survey by PwC, UK shoppers plan to spend 10% more than last year over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period, with the average consumer planning to spend £224.