Square Supports UK Retail and Hospitality Businesses Ahead of Black ‘Dine’day Weekend, Encouraging Connected Shopping and Dining Experiences
As the UK approaches one of the most dynamic consumer weekends of the year, both retail and hospitality businesses are preparing for a significant surge in footfall and spending. The annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday period has traditionally been viewed as a peak moment for retail discounts and holiday shopping kickoffs. However, in recent years, consumer behaviour has evolved, transforming the weekend into a more immersive experience that blends shopping with social and dining activities. Recognising this shift, Square is working closely with UK sellers to equip them with both the tools and knowledge necessary to capture demand effectively — across stores, restaurants, and online platforms.
To help business owners prepare, Square has released insights from last year’s record-breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend. The company is also offering an exclusive promotion of up to 50% off Square hardware for a limited five-week period, ensuring businesses have access to affordable tools that streamline operations and elevate customer experience.
A Growing Trend: Shopping Meets Dining
In 2024, retailers using Square’s technology in the UK saw a 31% year-over-year increase in in-store retail transactions between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Interestingly, this retail momentum directly correlated with increased activity in the hospitality sector, which experienced a 28% rise in restaurant transactions during the same period. The data indicates a clear behavioural trend: customers are increasingly “shopping, saving, and savouring” all in the same outing. Instead of viewing shopping and dining as separate activities, consumers are combining them into full-day experiences, often centred around festive energy, seasonal displays, and social gatherings.
This shift has significant implications for hospitality businesses such as cafes, pubs, and restaurants. Even those located outside traditional shopping districts are seeing increased traffic as customers plan their outings more holistically. For sellers in both sectors, the message is clear: collaboration and customer-centric experiences are essential to capitalising on seasonal demand.
As Fi Sellick, Head of UK Strategy at Square, explains:
The Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend is no longer just about shopping — it’s about the joined-up experience. Last year, we saw retail and hospitality businesses thrive together as consumers combined shopping with dining. This year, we’re helping business owners prepare for the rush with tools that streamline operations, connect online and in-store sales, and deliver memorable customer experiences as businesses navigate the Golden Quarter.
Omnichannel Retail: The New Standard for Success
Square’s data from the 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday period also revealed a 26% year-over-year increase in the number of sellers operating across both online and in-person channels. These “omnichannel” businesses are proving to be more resilient and more profitable, particularly during peak seasons when customer traffic and demand patterns can shift rapidly.
Today’s consumers are comfortable switching seamlessly between online browsing, in-store shopping, home delivery, and click-and-collect options. They expect:
- Accurate, real-time inventory visibility
- Consistent pricing and promotions across channels
- Flexible payment options
- Fast checkouts online and in person
For sellers, this requires synchronised systems that can manage stock, sales, staff coordination, and customer engagement without friction. Platforms that integrate point-of-sale (POS), online storefronts, order management, and customer data — such as Square — are increasingly key to maintaining this operational harmony.
Success Story: Papillon Living
One example of a business benefiting from this integrated approach is Papillon Living, a home and lifestyle store. Co-founder Stephen Anderson describes the value of having unified systems behind the scenes:
We’ve valued being more in control of the behind-the-scenes process by working with Square on our point-of-sale and ecommerce solutions. Not only are the products easy and simple to use, they enable us to monitor both in-store and online activity so we can constantly adjust our offerings to suit our customers.
Anderson adds that preparation is particularly important during high-traffic retail moments:
Black Friday generates a lot more footfall in-store and online, so it’s key for us to spend time preparing in advance for this uplift in visitors and spend. We see the benefit of having a strong ecommerce offering to support us during busy periods such as Black Friday and the festive period, and this helps us ensure we continue providing customers with a consistent experience no matter how busy we are.
Square’s Hardware Promotion: Supporting Growth During the Golden Quarter
To further support UK businesses as they head into the critical holiday trading season, Square is providing up to 50% off select hardware for five weeks. This offer enables both new and existing sellers to upgrade or expand their setup — from mobile card readers to countertop POS systems — ensuring they can serve customers efficiently during peak rush times.
This promotion encourages businesses to:
- Reduce checkout times
- Enable mobile or queue-busting payments
- Improve table service flow in restaurants
- Sync inventory across channels
- Track real-time performance metrics
Tips for Black Friday & Cyber Monday Business Success
Whether a seller operates a boutique retail store, a bustling café, or a hybrid online-and-in-person business, small operational improvements can significantly impact sales performance and customer satisfaction during peak trading weekends. Square recommends focusing on the following proven strategies:
1. Optimise Your In-Store Experience
Customers expect quick, smooth transactions — especially when stores are busy.
Ensure:
- Payment terminals are ready and staff are trained
- Floor layouts are intuitive
- Staff can support customers with product guidance
- Personalised service touches leave a lasting impression
2. Unify Online and In-Person Operations
Use integrated tools to manage stock, pricing, customer data, and promotions across locations and channels. This prevents:
- Overselling
- Inventory confusion
- Customer frustration
It also allows customers to shop how they want, when they want.
3. Leverage Data and Insights
Your point-of-sale and online systems contain valuable information about:
- Peak footfall times
- Most popular products
- Repeat customer trends
- Impact of past promotions
Use these insights to refine:
- Store hours
- Discounting strategies
- Staff scheduling
- Customer messaging
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