Black Friday Spain: Everything You Need to Know in 2024

Does Spain have Black Friday sales? How do they work, and how can you get the best Black Friday deals in Spain?

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year for Americans. It’s the day when retailers offer deep discounts to kick off the holiday gifting season, and shoppers love it!

Originating in the United States in the 1970’s, many other countries have adopted the famous shopping event in recent years after seeing its commercial success.

But what about Spain? Does Spain celebrate Black Friday?

As someone who lived in Spain, I was familiar with the traditional Spanish sales (rebajas). What I didn’t realize is that Spain had started doing Black Friday sales!

In this post, we’ll answer all the questions you have about Black Friday in Spain like when is it, what types of items to shop for, and how to hunt for the best Black Friday deals along with some of the historical context and economic impacts of the holiday.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Do They Have Black Friday in Spain?

Yes, they do have Black Friday in Spain!

Over the last decade, Black Friday has become a popular shopping event in Spain. In fact, 70% of Spanish consumers are planning to take advantage of Black Friday deals (Source: OCU).

Just like in the United States, Black Friday isn’t an official public holiday. Even so, many stores and online retailers offer deep discounts and special promotions on this day.

Black Friday in Spain falls on the same day as in the United States: the fourth Friday in November. That said, some shots opt to begin their sales in the week leading up to Black Friday or November 1st!

History of Black Friday in Spain

Black Friday has a long history in the United States. On the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) consumers have the opportunity to take advantage of steep discounts for their holiday shopping—while simultaneously advantageous for retailers.

In Spain, Black Friday is a relatively new occurrence. Introduced around 2011-2012, the first Black Friday sales in Spain were initially met with confusion and even some skepticism.

However, as more and more retailers—large, small, and online—began to offer Black Friday discounts, the event quickly gained notoriety. It’s now one of the most important commercial events of the year for businesses to boost sales before the holidays.

Despite its relatively short history in Spain, Black Friday has already been adjusted to meet the growing demand.

In 2015, the Spanish government introduced new regulations on Black Friday promotions and sales. These made it easier for retailers to offer discounts and extended the sales period.

As a result, some companies and online retailers now hold sales throughout the month of November!

Black Friday’s Impact on the Spanish Economy

Black Friday has had a positive influence on the Spanish economy, with significant impacts in both traditional retail and online markets.

For example, the sales of fashion and luxury items on Black Friday in Spain were 471% higher than any other day of the year. This represented the highest percentage change across all of Europe! (Souce: Statista, 2020).

Certainly, this indicates that Black Friday is an essential event for fashion retailers in Spain.

Not only was fashion impacted, but other retailers who have experienced a decline in sales saw a much-needed boost to their revenue.

Online Black Friday deals are also making a huge dent in the economy. As many consumers prefer to shop online because it’s convenient, Spain has seen a significant increase in online sales during Black Friday lately.

According to a report by El Pais, online sales in Spain reached 1.7 billion euros—a 10% increase from the previous year—in during Black Friday in 2019. And, the trend is expected to continue.

Consequently, Black Friday has prompted the growth of e-commerce in Spain. Many small and medium-sized businesses have started selling products online in order to reach a broader audience and increase sales.

Lastly, the general holiday sales season will create 140,000 jobs in Spain (Source: Randstad)!

What do Spaniards Buy on Black Friday?

During Black Friday sales in Spain, Spaniards typically spend several hundred euros each, on average—and that number has risen, showing consumers are eager to get a good deal on Black Friday.

But, what exactly are Spanish people buying on Black Friday?

First, many shoppers in Spain use Black Friday to save money on Christmas gifts and other seasonal items.

According to Think Spain, computer equipment and electronics are also among the most sought-after items, followed closely by clothing and accessories.

Other popular items to get on sale during Spain’s Black Friday include home appliances, beauty products, and toys.

(It’s worth noting these categories may vary from year to year as they are depending on current consumer trends.)

Black Friday vs. Traditional Spanish Sales

When it comes to shopping in Spain, Black Friday is a more recent development.

Black Friday Spain is a one-day event in which retailers offer significant discounts on a wide range of products from electronics to clothing to home goods to kick off the holiday shopping season.

In contrast, traditional Spanish sales (called rebajas) have been around for decades

But what exactly is the difference between Black Friday and Rebajas? Let’s take a closer look.

Prior to 2012, there were two main sales periods each year: the winter sales (rebajas de invierno) and the summer sales (rebajas de verano).

These mandatory sales periods were regulated by the government which set minimum discount bands and other types of strict restrictions. This led to some good bargains (especially on clothing) as retailers were allowed to operate at a loss to clear inventory.

Today, retailers can hold sales when they choose. This has changed consumer trends quite a bit, and some Spanish retailers are still adjusting to the new normal.

8 Tips for Getting a Good Deal on Black Friday in Spain

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year in Spain, and it’s a great time to snag some amazing deals. Although consumer organizations like OCU and Facua warn consumers to be savvy and not fall for Black Friday marketing schemes!

Here are some tips for getting the most out of Black Friday deals in Spain:

1. Do Your Research

Research is critical when it comes to getting the best deals on Black Friday in Spain. Advertising usually begins well in advance, so check out your favorite retailers’ websites to see what kind of deals they’re offering. We also recommend signing up for newsletters to get exclusive offers and early access to sales.

2. Compare Prices

Before making any purchases, compare prices both between what the merchandise was previously sold for and across different stores. Just because a store is advertising a big discount doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best deal. A price comparison tool like Google Shopping can also be helpful in finding the best deals.

3. Shop Online

Shopping online on Black Friday is easy and convenient. It’s becoming more popular in Spain, and retailers are starting to offer extended sales or exclusive online-only offers. In addition, shopping Black Friday deals online makes it easy to compare prices.

4. Get Your Subscriptions

Many subscription services have been offering Black Friday deals for the last few years. Streaming services drop to just a few euros a month, for example. If there are any online tools, memberships, or subscriptions you’re interested in, those often have discounts too. Online courses are often discounted on Black Friday. Hence, if there’s a course you’ve been wanting to buy, keep an eye on your email for Black Friday promos!

In my experience, Black Friday is the only time of year these deep online discounts are available!

5. Set a Budget

It’s easy to get carried away during Black Friday sales in Spain, so it’s important to set a budget beforehand. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it. This will help you avoid overspending and regretting your purchases later. (Not all stores allow returns like in the United States, although online stores are obliged to offer a 14-day return window for any reason.)

6. Shop Early

Black Friday deals in Spain often start early, so you can start shopping as soon you see a good price. Some stores offer limited-time deals so don’t wait until the last minute, either!

Coupons and promo codes can help you save money on Black Friday sales in Spain. Check out the social media accounts of your favorite stores or businesses for codes. Sign up for their newsletters, too. Note that you can’t always stack coupons.

8. Support Small Businesses

Unfortunately, small businesses have suffered the most since the 2012 law opening up the sales periods in Spain. They are unable to compete with retail giants who can drop their prices year-round. Black Friday is a great time to support local businesses.

Amazon Black Friday Sales in Spain

When it comes to Black Friday sales worldwide, Amazon is one of the biggest players in the game.

To that end, Amazon’s Black Friday sales in Europe have increased dramatically when compared with the preceding week (Source: Statista). Spain is one of the top countries for sales growth.

Amazon Spain’s Black Friday sales typically run from the fourth Friday of November and continue through Cyber Monday (Yes, they have Cyber Monday in Spain!).

Even so, there are typically early bird sales preceding the big event.

During Amazon’s Black Friday sales in Spain, you can expect to find discounts on products across the spectrum.

It’s important to note, however, that not all of Amazon’s Black Friday deals are created equal. Since Amazon prices fluctuate, it often looks like you’re getting a big discount when you’re not. (I usually big ticket items to my cart and watch them over time to get the average price before Black Friday or other big sales).

What stores participate in Black Friday in Spain?

Many stores in Spain participate in Black Friday, including major retailers like FNAC, Corte Inglés, H&M, Casa de Libros, Bershka, Desigual, The Body Shop, Amazon, Nike, Media Markt, Ikea, Pull and Bear. (Bull and Bear in particular is highly sought after for it’s Black Friday deals!) Online retailers like Amazon Spain, PcComponentes, and Zalando also offer great Black Friday deals.

Is Cyber Monday celebrated in Spain?

Yes, Cyber Monday is also celebrated in Spain. Cyber Monday is the Monday following Black Friday in Spain. While Black Friday is focused more on in-store deals, Cyber Monday is focused on online retailers offering big online deals.

In what month are the big sales in Spain?

The big sales in Spain typically occur in winter and summer, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday also becoming popular in recent years. Although retailers can now choose to hold sales any time of year, traditionally summer sales start on July 31st and end on August 31st. Winter sales begin on Jan 7 and run through March.

Does Barcelona have Black Friday?

Yes, Black Friday Barcelona is a thing! Major stores and malls in Barcelona will offer discounts on many different products on the same day as Black Friday in the USA and other European countries (the fourth Friday in November). Smaller businesses and associations can use the opportunity to boost their sales, too. FC Barcelona even gets in on the retail fun by offering great discounts and promotions designed for fans!

Is there Black Friday in Madrid?

Yes, Black Friday is celebrated in Madrid. Many major retailers offer discounts on a wide range of products and the streets will be abuzz with shoppers. In addition, some hospitality services like hotels and pubs have begun offering discounts on this day. Note, your Black Friday shopping might come with a little controversy in Madrid: in 2022 Greenpeace staged a protest to bring awareness to the waste that excess consumerism can produce.

Do they celebrate Black Friday in Europe?

Yes, Black Friday has caught on many European countries with a one-day blowout sale. Many countries and/or companies see it as one of the biggest days on the retail calendar. You can find discounts on anything from electronics and clothing to travel, accommodations, and more.

Are Black Friday Deals in Spain Worth It?

As Black Friday Spain continues to grow in popularity, many shoppers are left wondering if the Black Friday deals are really worth it.

While there are certainly savings to be found, you may want to Black Friday in Spain with a critical eye.

For instance, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) says many Black Friday campaigns aren’t real: “25% reductions on average were announced, which in practice were not reductions but more expensive prices.”

Facua has also detected various faulty marketing strategies including advertising as something discounted when it’s not.

All in all, don’t let those figures deter you from participating in Black Friday in Spain, should you desire. There are certainly many deals to find!