Great Britain’s Version Of Black Friday

Complete with overnight lines and crazed crowds.

Boxing Day takes place in Great Britain the day after Christmas. A lot of people only care about it because of the sales it brings.

Boxing Day takes place in Great Britain the day after Christmas. A lot of people only care about it because of the sales it brings.

Shoppers "queued" outside London's famous Selfridges department store overnight, where items will be sold for up to 75% off the usual price. They've still got nothing on American Black Friday shoppers, who have been known to camp out for days in advance.

Image by Olivia Harris / Reuters

U.K. shoppers are expected to spend around £2.9 billion, or $4.7 billion, on Boxing Day sales this year.

U.K. shoppers are expected to spend around £2.9 billion, or $4.7 billion, on Boxing Day sales this year.

Black Friday sales in the U.S. were around $59 billion.

Image by Olivia Harris / Reuters

Like in the U.S., people in the U.K. have been injured because of the day's massive crowds and confusion.

Like in the U.S., people in the U.K. have been injured because of the day's massive crowds and confusion.

An 18-year-old boy was stabbed to death in front of Boxing Day shoppers in 2011; the conflict was attributed to gang violence, but Boxing Day chaos contributed as well. And this year, train drivers in Central London are striking because of a lack of "quality time" around the holidays, causing delays and traffic jams for shoppers.

Image by Olivia Harris / Reuters

Unlike Black Friday, however, Boxing Day comprises a bunch of other traditions in addition to bargain-hunting, like the Tenby Boxing Day Swim in Wales.

Unlike Black Friday, however, Boxing Day comprises a bunch of other traditions in addition to bargain-hunting, like the Tenby Boxing Day Swim in Wales.

Really, wouldn't you rather dive headfirst into the freezing ocean than tear out some woman's hair for the chance to buy a half-off perfume?

Image by Rebecca Naden / Reuters


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