When Marks and Spencer announced they wouldn’t be 'buying into the retail bonanza' of Black Friday last year, many businesses understood the appeal. The day (and, more often, week) of discounts pushes winter sales forward by weeks and has the ability to trigger unnecessary financial losses.

Of course, it can also generate profits. Despite industry-wide drops in offline shopping, rival John Lewis experienced their biggest day of online sales in history during Black Friday 2017. And they weren’t the only one. Most major retailers across the UK and US sold out of their best deals within hours.

Marks could be left spark-less without a change in approach - but it shouldn’t be difficult to do so. While they haven’t advertised any deals under the Black Friday or Cyber Monday umbrella for two years, they have still promoted abundant discounts throughout the same period.

Their inventory actually gives them an unlikely advantage over their big name competitors. While the Currys PC World and Debenhams’ of the high street will be trying to price match each other’s deals on TVs and tech, Marks and Spencer sells neither.

Instead, they have a unique selection of everything from cashmere jumpers and whisky to beauty products and baby onesies. New and improved Black Friday deals - whether they decide to market them by the idiom or not - could make Marks and Spencers a one-stop shop for Christmas gifting.

How to find the best Marks and Spencer Black Friday deals

Start early

Marks and Spencer often launch new offers on Thursdays are are likely to do the same with their ‘non-Black Friday’ deals.

Shop with a plan

M&S regularly offer 50 per cent off their fashion, wine and champagne and have hundreds of different options to choose from in each category. If you make a small wishlist (or fill a shopping basket) with your favourite items now, it will be much easier to purchase them in a click or two when sales go live.

Seek the same

Last year’s best deals included the Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Heart Rate & Activity (£66.49 down from £95), a six-bottle case of Louis Chaurey Champagne (£80 down from £190), and Josh Wood ColourLoc Treatment hair straighteners (£60 down from £120). Look out for similar deals across tech, bubbles and beauty appliances this year.

Consider home improvements

We saw 20 per cent off across home and furniture last year, but recent sales have offered half price bedding sets and furniture - like Abbey sofas - up 40 per cent off. Discounts will vary in each category on Black Friday but almost all homeware is expected to be reduced.

Think seasonal

Some Christmas hampers were also promoted at 20 per cent off last year and many hallmarks of the festive season - food, decorations, knitwear, et al - could see the same.

Get the advent calendar of dreams

The Marks and Spencer beauty advent calendar is rumoured to be released for £35 (despite a £250 value). With 25 luxe treats behind its doors, the advent calendar is as good as Black Friday deals get.

And remember...

You qualify for free shipping when you spend over £50 on clothes, home and beauty products but flowers, plants, furniture, and selected food and wine gifts qualify automatically. Add a few household necessities to your basket to make the most of hassle-free delivery. 

Plus, when you sign up to their newsletter you are e-mailed a voucher for £10 off your next £50+ purchase. An extra 20 per cent off never hurt anyone, eh?

And be it the first or fiftieth time you do so, it is worth shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday with a Sparks card. The company's free loyalty card makes a donation to your chosen charity every time you shop and you earn ten ‘sparks’ (points for every pound spent.