TV crews who gathered in an Oxford Street shop to film riotous crowds on Black Friday were left disappointed to find just one man waiting outside.
Curry’s PC World opened two hours early on Friday morning in expectation of a rush from customers hoping to buy bargains on the annual discount day.
But a video recorded by BBC home affairs reporter Frankie McCamley showed just one person entering the store as the doors opened at 7am.
Appearing slightly sheepish at the attention of the assembled media, the man, who said his name was Marcel, glided through the store to pick up his pre-ordered laptop, according to Ms McCamley.
Black Friday appears to be rather more sedate this year, with reports of mad rushes, fights over discounts and hours-long queues few and far between across Britain.
Users have been taking to social media to share videos and images of silent streets and empty shopping centres.
The apparent low turnout comes after a study found three out of five Britons believe the annual event is just a big marketing ploy.
The average Brit takes advantage of 84 deals a year and saves an annual £220, according to the research commissioned by car manufacturer Dacia.
