Black Friday is yet another unnecessary American cultural import, according to Shane Coleman.

Shoppers across the country will have rushed to get the best Black Friday deals today in the run up to Christmas.

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said he is inclined to ‘switch off’ on the day.

“Look, I'm as consumerist as the next person, I'm not trying to do a high moral grounding – but there is something so American about it,” he said.

“I have to say, my inclination is to switch off.”

Don't 'blow the bank'

Fellow presenter Ciara Kelly said that the sales can be useful as long as people ‘keep their wits about them’.

“I was sceptical, but Jess Kelly gave great advice here on Tech Check on Monday,” she said.

“She said, if there's something you want to buy anyway, right – don't just go and blow the bank on Black Friday – but you might have a purchase for your house, you might have an expensive Christmas present or something to buy.

"In that vein, I think Black Friday could be useful if you have your wits about you and do the ‘buyer beware’.

“I got a couch – and I'm going to name them, because it was Easy Living Interiors; they're a competition on our show this week – I got a couch from them last year on Black Friday, got a really good discount.

“I got a telly from Telefunken this year – really good discount – but I wanted those things.

“I wanted a new telly, I wanted a new couch.

“So, I don't think you should just go and throw money at it.”

Ciara said that if you don’t need something, you should ignore it.