Asda pulls out out of Black Friday shopping frenzy
The firm, which has a stores on Asdale Road, Dewsbury Road and at Trinity Walk shopping centre, in Wakefield plus stores in Glasshoughton and Ponetfract has cancelled Black Friday, a one-day promotion which sees flash sales of big-ticket items.
Last year Asda faced criticism over its handling of the event after shoppers got into scuffles in other parts of the country.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWalmart-owned Asda cited “shopper fatigue” as the reason for not taking part this year’s November 27 event.
Company chief executive Andy Clarke said: “Over the past two years we’ve developed an organised, well-executed plan, but this year customers have told us loud and clear that they don’t want to be held hostage to a day or two of sales.”
Last year’s Black Friday saw police called to Tesco Extra in Batley amid frenzied scenes as shoppers waited for the sale to start at midnight.
Video footage emerged of shoppers pouring into the store to grab flat screen televisions, coffee machines, kitchen appliances and other discounted products.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAnother video showed security staff in London trying to contain a mob of shoppers grappling over a cut-price TVs.
Last year’s chaos prompted Sir Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, to condemn lax security arrangements to cope with the huge crowds.