by Bradley Gray, reporter

Shops across Kent and the UK have been opening early today, ready for Black Friday shoppers looking to bag a bargain.

But after criticism this week that most of the time deals advertised on Black Friday were cheaper at other times on the year, the frantic rushing into shops didn’t materialise.

Richard Turner, the manager of the Currys PC World in Walderslade, said that he wasn’t expecting a dramatic turn out.

“We weren’t busy at opening, but then again we weren’t last year either.

“We know that people don’t want to be queuing at 7 o’clock in the morning and might come after the school run.

“But we have got as many staff in as possible and we’re prepared if things pick up.”

Online sales have taken the limelight, with British shoppers expected to spend upwards of £13 million a minute online over the Black Friday weekend.

Amazon kicked off their sales this morning and may be disrupted by walk-outs at five different UK warehouses.

Workers are protesting what they call “inhumane conditions”, claims which the retail giant denies.

In America, where the shopping event originated and is at its largest, a shooting at an Alabama mall has left a teenager dead and two injured.

The shooting took place late last night, when the mall remained open later than usual to cater to shoppers.