Independent retailers must be prepared for the Black Friday surge in demand that saw people fight over goods in store last year, it has been claimed.
New research by Royal Mail, conducted for the Small Business Advice Week, found that many small to medium-sized businesses are not prepared for Black Friday on November 27 this year.
In the US, Black Friday is a post-Thanksgiving sale but it has become increasingly popular in the UK, where it is seen as the unofficial launch of the Christmas shopping season.
There were injuries in supermarkets in the UK last year as customers scrambled to snap up bargains.
However, Black Friday deals are also available online and Royal Mail is encouraging smaller firms to make sure they can manage the expected surge in demand.
Royal Mail surveyed 250 small business owners around the UK and found that 95% are making preparations of some form.
But it warns that some smaller retailers may still be taken by surprise.
Roger Morris, head of Royal Mail Parcels, said: “Black Friday has established itself in the UK shopping calendar and now marks the start of the Christmas retail season.
“Small to medium-sized enterprises are joining the big brands to claim their share of the retail spend but as our research shows, Scottish businesses could be risking their reputation by not preparing all areas of their business for the Black Friday event.”
Catherine Roberts, managing director of Falkirk-based Caths Direct, said: “Last year Black Friday totally took us by surprise.
“This year we are still deciding whether we will run dedicated offers for the Black Friday, but we are definitely getting ready much earlier for the Christmas shopping season.”