UK Police warn retailers over Black Friday security

The National Police Chiefs' Council has warned retailers to ensure adequate staff and security to handle any seasonal sales, including Black Friday.

"I urge retail companies and their store managers to ensure that they have sufficient security arrangements," said deputy chief constable Sue Fish, Nottinghamshire police.

She added, shops needed to consider longer periods of sales than a single day.

According to supermarket Asda, it had decided not to take part in Black Friday this year.

"The police will intervene if necessary to protect public order and safety, but we should be the service of last resort, not a substitute for carefully considered in-store security plans," said Fish, who speaks for the police on business and retail crime.

In 2013, Asda had helped to bring Black Friday to the UK, but according to the supermarket, "shopper fatigue" has set in "around flash sales on big-ticket, non-essential items at Christmas".

Black Friday falls on 27 November and the event marked the beginning of the US Christmas shopping season.

It was not universally popular with retailers and experts were divided about whether others would follow Asda.

In the past, police have had to be called into supermarkets as scuffles broke out among shoppers vying to get the best deal.

Meanwhile, in the US, Walmart had disclosed discounts on TVs, electronics, small home appliances and toys that would be available store and online during the major shopping day.

Walmart.com sale at the retailer would commence at 3 am ET on Thanksgiving Day with deals including, markdowns on 10 TV models, including a 40-inch HDTV for $149, Fitbit Flex Wristband for $59, and over 100 video games, with some being offered for as low as $8

The store had been moving toward making more discounted items available online and this year it would offer online 96 pert cent of what it offered in stores.

According to Walmart, this year, it was focused on stocking its stores with the products shoppers wanted most.

"We're deep in stock, we let people shop when and how they want and for those who come to the store it's going to be an easier shopping experience," Walmart US CEO Greg Foran told CNN Money.