Black Friday 2016: Shropshire shoppers feel it is all 'a bit of a con'

There was none of the brawling or long queues that have been linked with the event in the past, with people saying they were instead shopping for specific items so that they could get home as soon as possible.

Despite significant reductions in clothes, entertainment and electronic shops, shoppers said they were heading online to find the best bargains this Black Friday.

John Marsh, 72, said: "It's all a con trick. It's another import from America –why can't we develop our own strategies?

"If you look around there's very few that are genuine reductions, and if they are genuine reductions and they can do it for Black Friday they should be able to do it for the rest of the year.

"It's like Trick and Treat and all those things, someone said once that America and England are two cultures divided by a common language. With things like this, we're becoming more Americanised.

"I've got a very specific thing I need – there's one item, it's what I need, and then I'll be going."

Shan Saunders, 51, said: "I've had a look around to see if anything is cheaper, but I've not seen any significant reductions on what I've been looking for.

"I'm just looking for make-up for my children, and I'll be getting in and getting out before it gets too busy.

"Part of me thinks Black Friday is a bit of a con. It's something that's been copied from America, and there's very few things that have been genuinely reduced."

Hannah Guy, 34, from Wellington, said: "The traffic was heavy on the way in.

"Black Friday passes me by. I avoid it, because it's ridiculous. I don't want to get involved in the queues or with the fighting – you can usually find better deals online. I haven't seen anything that's better than we usually have."

Sally Smith, 33, said: "I came straight from the school, but there's nothing I'm looking for in particular. I'm just looking for Christmas presents for the kids.

"It's good if you can get a bargain. I do a lot of shopping online now, which is very good for Christmas. It's easier to get things delivered straight to your door – you get to avoid the crowds."

Black Friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving in America, and is traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season there.

It is routinely the busiest shopping day of the year, with nearly £2 billion expected to have been spent online and in stores.