Tag: deals

Jet2 sale and free child places launched for last-minute February half-term getaways

Enjoy a last-minute getaway this February half-term with Jet2holidays

  • Jet away with Jet2holidays this February half-term for a memorable break with all the family
  • Winter sale from UK’s largest operator means families can snap up a last-minute deal to Antalya, Paphos or Lanzarote
  • More Free Child Place holidays available too across school holidays – on top of millions already available means families can get away for even less

Families seeking a fun-packed February half-term getaway, should look no further than Jet2holidays, as the UK’s largest tour operator has launched a fantastic sale and added hundreds of thousands of Free Child Place holidays across the 2024 school holidays – on top of millions already available.

Whether you want to bask in the warming winter rays of Lanzarote or enjoy a family trip filled with exciting activities in Antalya or Paphos this February half-term, Jet2holidays is offering families the chance to do just that for even less, with a host of last-minute breaks available to the most sought-after family friendly destinations.

With the recent addition of hundreds of thousands of Free Child Place holidays across the 2024 school holidays, on top of the millions that are already available, plus this sale, families seeking to escape the chilly UK weather for cosier climates across Europe and the Mediterranean, can do so for even less and create lasting memories with all the family in the sunshine.

Package holiday options with Jet2holidays offer ease for families, combining accommodation, VIP customer service, in-resort Customer Helpers and return transfers, as well as flights with Jet2.com and a 22kg baggage allowance in one ATOL protected holiday.

With February half-term fast approaching and up to £240 off for families of four, plus Free Child Place Holidays, there’s never been a better time to treat the family to a last-minute getaway with Jet2holidays.

Antalya – Turkey

Antalya’s stunning natural landscape and ancient ruins make the perfect playground for families to explore throughout the pleasant Winter season.

Head down to Turkey’s finest beaches to marvel at the stunning coastline views. With an abundance of culture and cuisine to unpack, Antalya is ideal for families seeking both a relaxing and adventurous holiday.

Sample packages:

Jet2holidays – Turkey, Antalya Area, Lara Beach, 3 star Grand Park Lara, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Birmingham on 10th February 2024.

Price: £519 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Turkey, Antalya Area, Lara Beach, 4+ star Aska Lara Resort and Spa, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Manchester on 11th February 2024.

Price: £599 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Turkey, Antalya Area, Side, 4 star Side Royal Palace Hotel and Spa, 7 nights all-inclusive plus departing from London Stansted on 10th February 2024.

Price: £669 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Paphos – Cyprus

The whole family can kick back and relax in the laid-back resort of Paphos, located on the sunny south-west coast of Cyprus. Inviting tavernas line up along the picturesque harbour to offer a taste of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. With a choice of beaches, shopping malls, UNESCO-listed historical sites and a zoo, there are exciting activities to suit every itinerary.

Sample packages:

Jet2holidays – Cyprus, Paphos Resort, 3+ star Mayfair Gardens, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from East Midlands on 11th February 2024.

Price: £439 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Cyprus, Paphos Resort, 5 star Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos, 7 nights all-inclusive plus departing from London Stansted on 10th February 2024.

Price: £769 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Cyprus, Cyprus Paphos Airport, Paphos Resort, 4 star Mayfair Hotel, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Manchester on 11th February 2024.

Price: £469 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Lanzarote

Sunshine-seeking families will adore the impressively warm winter weather in Lanzarote, making the Spanish island the ideal destination to escape to in February. Offering delightful beaches and awe-inspiring mountain views, Lanzarote presents incredible opportunities to create memories under the sun. With an array of vibrant resorts to choose from, you’ll be longing to return time after time.

Sample packages:

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Costa Teguise, 3 star Bluebay Lanzarote, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Glasgow on 11th February 2024.

Price: £689 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Playa Blanca, 4 star Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, 7 nights half-board departing from Bristol on 11th February 2024.

Price: £839 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Costa Teguise, 4 star Los Zocos Lanzarote, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Leeds Bradford on 11th February 2024.

Price: £899 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.               

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Playa Blanca, 4 star Livvo Hotels Mirador Papagayo, 7 nights half-board departing from Birmingham on 11th February 2024.

Price: £629 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

For further information, please visit www.jet2holidays.com

All prices and availability correct at the time of issue.

Morrisons unveils food & drink offers for Hogmanay

Morrisons has unveiled a range of products and offers across food favourites, liqueurs, beers and soft drinks to bring in the new year in style.

Highlights include:

  • Up to 44% off 50cl-70cl liqueurs including Warnink’s Advocaat, Tia Maria Liqueur, Malibu Coconut Liqueur, Glayva Whisky Liqueur and Disaronno Amaretto (£9.99)
  • 2 for £2.50 on Simon Howie’s range, including Black Pudding, Sliced Haggis, Beef Links, Pork Sausages and Lorne Sausage
  • The Famous Grouse Ruby Cask for £14 (Morrisons supermarket exclusive)

The range and offers are available until 1st January 2023, and more information can be found online at https://groceries.morrisons.com/browse/hogmanay-187632.

Shop ’til you drop at St James Quarter with unmissable deals and live entertainment

The countdown to Black Friday is now on and as shoppers in Edinburgh prepare to seek out this year’s best deals, St James Quarter has revealed the unmissable discounts that will be on offer across its exciting selection of retailers. 

Available throughout Black Friday weekend (from 25th – 28th November) and beyond, St James Quarter will play host to the biggest and best offers from top retailers including up to 40% off the latest fashion items at Zara (selected lines on 25th November), up to 20% off the hottest makeup, skincare and fragrance at H Beauty (between 25th – 28th November) and 50% off Neom’s ‘Night in with Neom’ Box for those who want to indulge in a little self-care (until 30th November).

For more information about all of the latest Black Friday deals on offer at St James Quarter click here.  

Shoppers can also enjoy the Black Friday feeling with live entertainment between 2pm – 6pm on Friday and Saturday from The Quarter’s very own resident DJs, Fi and Mairi Buchanan, who will be filling the Galleria with sounds of the best-known Christmas classics. 

Guests can shop til they drop before taking a moment to refresh with The Quarter’s impressive dining and leisure destinations including Ka Pao, The Alchemist, Lane7, Everyman Cinema and Tortilla which are open until late. The Quarter also recently welcomed back lively Alpine Village, Bar Hütte, to St James Square where visitors can enjoy a festive drink and singsong in one of its Cosy Karaoke Hüttes until 2nd January.  

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Black Friday marks the beginning of the festive shopping season and following the opening of some really exciting retailers this year, we expect there to be a real buzz at St James Quarter this weekend as our guests seek out the best deals and take advantage of our hospitality offering. 

“November has already been a strong month for us in terms of footfall, but at a time when we know saving money is important to our guests, we’re looking forward to a busy but no doubt successful day of deal-hunting, with plenty more festive activity still to come before the end of 2022.” 

With so many great deals on offer, nobody wants to be restricted by how many bags they can carry, and St James Quarter has the perfect solution with its handsfree shopping service, Dropit, which allows shoppers to drop bags at Guest Services for later collection or, have them delivered straight to their door (for guests who live in Scotland). 

For those looking for a more relaxed approach to Black Friday, the St James Quarter website offers Crowd Checker, which provides shoppers with live capacity updates to help guests find quieter times to visit.

The Quarter also has a 1,600 space car park, which offers all day and overnight parking, allowing more convenience for shoppers travelling by car. 

During the festive period, selected retailers at St James Quarter will also be extending their opening hours on certain days. 

Counter at Native Edinburgh launches new student offerings

Counter at Native Edinburgh launches new student offerings including free, unlimited coffee and a Nuisance Drinks takeover this Friday!

Following the news that Edinburgh has been named the most expensive city in the UK for students to live, Native Edinburgh is aiming to soften the blow with a host of new offers for students including free, unlimited coffee!

The aparthotel’s new plush cafe and bar Counter is throwing open its doors to Edinburgh’s students and offering a home away from home to complete that all important course work.

The student offers to include free WiFi and co-working space plus free, unlimited coffee with a valid student ID Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. For students looking to unwind after a long day in the city, they can also enjoy £5 cocktails Monday – Wednesday with a valid student ID from 4pm. 

Open to all students, including non-residents, Native Edinburgh’s new offers are aiming to welcome students back into the city following the news that Edinburgh has been named the most expensive city in the UK to live in,  by NatWest’s Student Living Index.

The study found students spending exceeds their income in Edinburgh, and so the newly renovated space at Counter aims to offer a sophisticated, peaceful space for co-working or unwinding – with unlimited coffee set to be a major draw. 

Counter serves up coffee by day and cocktails by night, highlighting local produce in the daytime and spotlighting local talent at night. Students can take their pick of Counter’s artisan coffee, enjoying a Cappuccino, Latte or Americano, or use their student ID to enjoy a free hot tea or hot chocolate.

Counter’s luxurious space is the perfect spot to take on some co-working, with its green hues and botanical-themed prints inspired by the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens. For post-work cocktails, students can enjoy £5 cocktails Monday – Wednesday including negronis and clover club drinks. 

The stylish speakeasy will also be hosting an exclusive takeover with botanical soft drink brand, Nuisance Drinks this Friday 26th with live funky music from Edinburgh-based The Rockettes, and a range of brilliant Nuisance spiked cocktails.

Nuisance was born in 2020, when founder, Hugo, swapped his city desk for gardening gloves. Armed with his mum’s recipe and a pocket full of dock leaf, he spent lockdown foraging nettles before launching their trademark Wild Nettle soda. Last year, Nuisance launched a trio of sparkling botanical soft drinks that celebrate the wild side of nature and they are now bringing these to Native Places!

The event is free on a first come, first served basis from 7pm until late in Counter at Native Edinburgh. View all upcoming events at www.nativeplaces.com/whats-on-edinburgh/

With 82 apartments comprising studios, one bedrooms, and ground floor leisure and co-working spaces, Native Edinburgh provides the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home.

Ts&Cs: Free, unlimited coffee or hot drinks including tea and hot chocolate with valid student ID card, 9am- 5pm, Monday – Friday. £5 on selected cocktails from 4pm Monday – Wednesday with valid student ID card. Subject to availability. 

Native’s show-stopping new rooms are available to book now via www.nativeplaces.com and Counter is open seven days a week.

For full Counter programming, visit www.nativeplaces.com/whats-on-edinburgh

Black Friday shoppers rush into purchases they later regret, Which? research reveals

The hype around Black Friday leads some shoppers to make impulse buys they later regret – with many using credit or borrowing from friends and family to fund their purchases, Which? has found. 

Which? surveyed 2,000 members of the public to find out how they felt about items they bought in last year’s Black Friday sales and found that the majority who bought something in the 2020 sales regretted their purchases across five of the seven product categories featured.

Three-quarters (76%) of people who bought DIY products in the Black Friday sales later regretted these purchases.

Two-thirds (66%) of people who bought home appliances, nearly two-thirds (64%) who bought baby and child products, six in ten (58%) who bought health and beauty products and more than half (53%) who bought homeware or furniture also said they regretted their purchases.

The other two categories – clothing, shoes and accessories, and tech products – saw half (49%) and four in ten (41%) of shoppers feel regrets, respectively.

Three in ten shoppers (28%) who bought DIY products had to use credit or borrow from friends or family to pay for their goods, because they did not have the funds themselves.

Borrowing because they had no other way to pay was also common among customers who bought baby and child (24%), homeware or furniture (20%) and health and beauty products (20%).

The hype surrounding Black Friday can lead people to make rash decisions, sometimes skipping steps they would usually take before buying, such as shopping around and checking product reviews.

One in five people (20%) who bought home appliances felt pressured to rush into a purchase. These figures were even higher for people who bought DIY products, with 22 per cent feeling pressured.

To guard against any rash purchases, Which? advises consumers to do some research ahead of Black Friday, keeping an eye on prices for any potentially significant purchases before this year’s deals are announced so they have something to compare them to.

Previous Which? research has found that Black Friday deals are cheaper at other times of the year. The consumer champion’s Black Friday deals guide identifies the deals that offer the best discounts and is a helpful resource for shoppers to check during the sales.

If something catches their eye on the day, consumers can also use price tracker websites to help establish if they are getting the best price and check Which? reviews to see if a product is a Best Buy.

Ele Clark, Which? Retail Editor, said: “Our research has found that many people regret Black Friday purchases, as the hype around the sales pushes them to make rash decisions.

“More worryingly, some told us they had to borrow or use credit in order to fund their purchases, which could impact their credit score if they can’t clear the debt.

“Don’t feel rushed into making an impulse purchase. Thinking about what you genuinely want or need to buy in advance of Black Friday, checking product reviews and researching the item’s price history will help ensure you stay within budget and get the best value for money in the sales.”

Nearly nine in 10 Black Friday ‘deals’ same price or cheaper before the big day, says Which?

Shoppers are being urged to do their research before they part with their cash this Black Friday as a new Which? investigation reveals that the vast majority of ‘deals’ are the same price or cheaper before the day itself.

The consumer champion tracked the prices of 219 popular products advertised as ‘Black Friday deals’ across Amazon, AO.com, Argos, Currys PC World and John Lewis and found that almost nine in 10 (85%) of these so-called ‘deals’ were actually cheaper or the same price in the six months before. 

In fact, when Which? compared a year’s worth of prices for these products, which included home and tech goods such as headphones, fridge freezers and soundbars, only three (1%) out of the 219 items tracked were at their cheapest price of the year on Black Friday.

Out of the retailers Which? looked at, Currys PC World was the most likely to have its Black Friday ‘deals’ cheaper or the same price in the six months before. This was the case for 47 out of 49 (96%) products. 

John Lewis was not far behind with 70 of the 78 (90%) Black Friday deals Which? tracked cheaper or the same price ahead of time.

AO had a total of 38 out of 44 (86%) Black Friday deals included in Which?’s research cheaper or the same price before the big day.

When it came to the Black Friday deals tracked at Argos, Which? found 15 out of 18 (86%) had been cheaper or the same price in the six months before Black Friday.

Amazon came out the best out of the retailers Which? looked at but still had just over half (57%) of products analysed cheaper or the same price in the six months before Black Friday.

Among the examples, Which? found that at Currys PC World a set of Bose Quietcomfort headphones was £249 on Black Friday but had been cheaper or the same price on at least 15 occasions in the six months prior.

Which? found the same problem with a pricey De’Longhi Primadonna Coffee Machine at John Lewis. Costing £1,285 in the Black Friday sale, the machine had been at the same price or less on at least 35 occasions in the six months before, dropping to less than £1,200 on several days in May and June 2019.  

Which? also found that at AO a Zanussi fridge freezer was £549 on Black Friday but had been sold at that price on 153 days in the six months before Black Friday – 84 per cent of the time.

While many of the items tracked by Which? had been cheaper or the same price in the six months before Black Friday, price drops were even more widespread after the day itself.

This applied to almost every single product from AO, Argos, Currys PC World and John Lewis included in the analysis and nine in 10 (90%) of the products Which? tracked on Amazon.

Among the sales season duds Which? did uncover a few great deals, including some Bose Soundsport headphones on Amazon that were on sale at £45 on Black Friday 2019, half the maximum price of £90 and, according to Which? data, the cheapest price of the year.

Meanwhile at Amazon, Which? also found a bargain on a Shark Handheld Vacuum cleaner at £97 on Black Friday 2019, just over half the £180 maximum, the cheapest price of the year.

Which?’s research shows that while a handful of offers might be genuine, the vast majority of Black Friday deals are not necessarily cheaper than at other times of the year – and those who hold out a little longer will often end up paying the same price or even less.

Which? is urging shoppers to not be tempted to impulse buy this year, and to make sure they do their research to assess whether the price and quality of the product they are considering makes it the right deal for them. Even if a deal is advertised as time-sensitive, chances are it will not be the last opportunity to buy at that price.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: “With many of us stuck at home this Black Friday it might be tempting to scour the sales for a bargain, but we’ve found that you could get the same deal – or an even better one – at another time.

“Deals that look too good to be true often are, so don’t fall for time-limited offers and if you are looking for something in particular, do some research first. That way you’ll know a genuine bargain when you see one.”

  • Which? tracked the prices of 219 popular home and tech products over the course of a year, for six months before Black Friday 2019 and six months after.
  • The below table shows the number of products tracked and whether they were the same price or cheaper before and after the sales event.
  • In August 2020, a Which? survey found that 84 per cent of respondents were not planning on buying anything this Black Friday and those who were said they were taking a more considered approach by either tracking prices of coveted items or using price comparison sites.
  • However, internet industry body IMRG last week reported that the combination of Black Friday discounts and coronavirus restrictions will make November a record-breaking month for online spending in the UK. Their report suggested that online sales were up 61 per cent in the first week of November compared with the same period last year.

Black Friday example ‘deals’

AO -Hotpoint SA2844HIX 60cm 71L Built In Electric Single Oven 

You could have bought this built-in oven for £219.99 on Black Friday at AO, but if you’d bought it in the six months prior then you might have saved yourself a tenner – it was £209.99 on at least seven days. In the six months after the sale, it was £209.99 on at least 80 days, and was cheaper or the same price for a total of 134 days after the sale.

AO – Zanussi 178Cm Integrated Frost Free Fridge Freezer ZBB28651SV:

Black Friday price was £549. It was priced at £549 on 153 days in the six months before Black Friday, and was cheaper or the same price on 46 occasions after the sale. 

Argos – GoPro Hero7 White Action Cam

This action camera was £129.99 at Argos on Black Friday, and was the same price for the week before the sale day. In February 2020, it dropped to £119 for 11 days before staying at £129.99 – the same as its Black Friday price – until at least the end of May. In total, it was cheaper or the same price as Black Friday on at least 154 days in the six months following the sale.

Currys PC World – Samsung RS50N3513S8 Freestanding American Style Fridge Freezer

Last Black Friday, the silver version of this Samsung Fridge Freezer cost £849 at Currys PC World. Prior to the sale day, it was priced at £799 on at least 15 days – meaning a saving of £50 compared to Black Friday. Following the sale, it was £849 or cheaper on at least 27 days. 

Currys PC World – Sonos Playbar Soundbar

This stylish soundbar was £649 at Currys PC World last Black Friday, but had been the same price for at least 19 days in October 2019 too. After the sale day, it was the same price or cheaper on at least 129 days – including dropping to £599 over Christmas and new year, meaning shoppers could have saved £50 by holding out a little longer. For those prepared to play the waiting game, it was priced at £499 on several occasions during April and May 2020 – a saving of £150 compared to Black Friday. 

Currys PC World- Bose Quietcomfort 35 Ii Black QC35IIB: was cheaper or the same price as Black Friday on 15 occasions in the six months prior to Black Friday, and 66 days after the sale.

John Lewis – Brother MFC-J6930DW Wireless Inkjet Printer

On Black Friday, this Brother printer was £199.99 at John Lewis. In the six months before the sale day, it had been priced at £199 on at least 79 occasions. John Lewis told us that this was due to its price matching scheme. It was cheaper or the same price on 72 days in the six months after the sale, too. 

John Lewis – The De’Longhi Primadonna Elite Experience Bean To Cup Coffee Machine

The silver version of this expensive coffee machine was £1,285 at John Lewis in the Black Friday sale, but had been at the same price or less on at least 35 occasions in the six months before. This included costing less than £1,200 on several days in May and June 2019.  

John Lewis – The Sonos Beam Compact Smart Sound Bar with Voice Control, Black, was cheaper than its Black Friday price (£399) on 71 occasions in the six months before Black Friday, dropping to £369 for 14 days in July.  It was cheaper or the same price on 184 days in the six months after the sale.

Additional useful Which? Content:

Which? Black Friday Hub – https://www.which.co.uk/news/black-friday/

How to check if your Black Friday deals are real – https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/black-friday/article/black-friday-deals-how-to-check-if-a-black-friday-deal-is-real-aKtJD2L0zJEt

15 Shopping tips to help you get a deal this Black Friday – 

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/black-friday/article/top-15-shopping-tips-for-black-friday-deals-agwOd5D4LCzw

Amazon said: ‘We seek to offer our customers great value thanks to low prices all year round as well as a number of fantastic seasonal deals events. Our Black Friday Sale is about thousands of deals on a huge selection of products from every category across the site, at a time of year when we know saving money is important to our customers.  And the best thing about shopping online is that customers can easily compare prices, allowing them to make an informed purchase decision.’

An AO spokesperson said: ‘We offer great deals for our customers all year. Last year’s Black Friday event had over 9,000 fantastic and fair offers for customers and we expect this year to be even bigger.’

An Argos spokesperson said, ‘Our Black Friday event gives customers access to hundreds of products at their lowest ever price. They may also be part of sales and promotions we run the following year.’

A Currys PC World spokesperson said: “We have 1000s of deals in Black Friday every year, and aim to give our customers the best value with over 45% at their lowest price ever this year. Throughout the year we are also continuously price-matching and have additional sales to ensure we keep our promise of amazing tech that is affordable and accessible. Also as we are constantly looking to bring customers the latest and most innovative tech it means over time some of our older products will generally reduce in price as they are replaced by newer technology with improved features.”

John Lewis said: ‘As a participating retailer in Black Friday, we offer hundreds of deals across technology, home, beauty and fashion.  In addition to the variety of offers we have instore and online during the promotional period, our Never Knowingly Undersold price promise means that we continuously monitor and match the prices of our high street competitors throughout the year.  As such, we offer our customers the best value on the high street all year round, including during the Black Friday period.’   

Dubious Discounts: Beware Black Friday travel ‘deals’, says consumer watchdog

Which? is warning consumers about the risk of misleading Black Friday travel deals after a series of special offers for last year’s event turned out to be exaggerated or non-existent. Continue reading Dubious Discounts: Beware Black Friday travel ‘deals’, says consumer watchdog