Cyber Friday replaces Black Friday as shoppers stay home

Most people chose to shop at home Credit: ITV News

It was hyped up as one of the biggest shopping days of the year - but today many people stayed away from city centres.

Bristol was quiet first thing this morning, with no repeat scenes of last year when desperate shoppers fought over discounted items.

Instead many people went online to carry out their Christmas shopping from the comfort of their own home. Early reports suggest that online traffic was up by more than 60% on last year. With an increase in sales between midnight and 7am.

Last year retailers admit they were unprepared for the chaos of Black Friday. So this year shops brought in extra staff - they just lacked the customers.

Shops opening early this morning didn't quite have the same crowds as last year

Despite the lack of a Black Friday stampede - retailers say on the whole Business is up on last year. Many stores say they're expecting a shopping surge over the weekend as many deals will continue.

But it seems customers are choosing to shun the Black Friday frenzy for the comfort of the cyber world instead.