A SUBDUED start to Black Friday was noticeable with a distinctive lack of crowds and hordes of shoppers at Newport’s main shopping locations.

After last year’s pandemonium which follows the American tradition of bargain deals on the Friday following Thanksgiving, retailers across the city were prepared.

Many shops at Newport Retail Park, Spytty and Friars Walk braced themselves for swells of people, but only a handful of intrepid bargain hunters turned out.

A specially designed queuing area in Tesco was conspicuous by its absence of people, who opened their doors at 5am for Black Friday.

Meanwhile, many of the shops at the newly-opened Friars Walk are holding lengthened sales over the forthcoming weekend.

Other businesses from across Gwent took advantage of the day of savings, such as the Avondale Service Station in Cwmbran.

The petrol station was offering unleaded petrol for under £1, with the forecourt brimmed with cars looking to save on refuelling.

“We’ve been really busy,” said employee Stacey Biggs.

“The station's manager decided to take advantage of Black Friday, and we even had to call in staff to help with the earlier shifts due to the demand.”

Despite the slow start, Black Friday is anticipated to formulate part of the UK’s biggest shopping day, with estimates of over £1 billion will be spent.

Analysts believe that following on from last year’s scenes of scraps, many shoppers are opting to find their cheaper products from the safety of their own homes.

Cyber Monday – the Monday after Black Friday - is already an established part of the UK’s shopping calendar and will offer cut price deals across the internet on Monday November 30.