Asda claims Black Friday was a 'phenomenon' in UK However, US retailers have now brought the promotion to the UK. Amazon started offering Black Friday deals online three years ago, but this year Asda, which is owned by US retailer Walmart, was the first UK-based retailer to offer heavy discounts in stores. Asda offered a Cyclone Explorer Android tablet for £49, while LG televisions and Samsung smartphones were also discounted. Approximately 60pc of the products on promotion were sold within two hours and 16,000 tablets were bought in less than an hour. Other retailers also reported a surge in sales. November 29 was Amazon's busiest every day in the UK, with 4m products ordered, while John Lewis sales fell 1.7pc in the week after Black Friday despite shoppers supposedly gearing up for Christmas. Mr Clarke said Asda had "learnt lessons" from running Black Friday for the first time. A man was arrested in an Asda store in Bristol after an argument broke out over televisions, while other customers were left empty-handed as the retailer operated a one product per customer rule. The rush for bargains on Black Friday reflects the continuing pressure on houshold incomes despite signs of recovery in the economy. According to Asda data, shoppers are holding back their Christmas spending until later in December. It believes that just 60pc of customers intending to buy presents for children have already done so, with the percentage falling to 53pc for adult gifts, 35pc for trees and decorations, and 20pc for food and drink. "There is no doubt that customers are feeling the pinch," Mr Clarke said. There are still alot of meals between now and then [December 25]. The delay in Christmas spending means that Monday December 23 is likely to be the busiest day of the year for grocery retailers in the UK.