Shoppers keen to get their hands on a cut-price deal began queuing up early in the morning as Black Friday fever hit local shores.

People eyeing a cheap TV, computer or household appliance were spotted patiently waiting for shops to open in Sliema, Mrieħel and Birkirkara as early as 7.30am.

Outside one Mrieħel store, queues began forming as early as 4.30am and by the early morning snaked around the block. 

People rushed to get their hands on an electronics bargain. Photo: Jonathan Borg

"I parked in the first spot I found and quickly got here," one shopper told Times of Malta outside Forestals. "I got a beautiful piece of machinery for half the price; it's a great deal." 

"We Maltese love the bargain," he said with a smile. 

The Point was first major retail hub to advertise Black Friday sales some years back, and stores at the Tigne shopping centre were bustling right through from the start of business, despite an extended closing time of midnight. 

"I think it's picking up here in Malta," said one retailer. "Things are much crazier than last year...we're making sales so we can't complain!" 

Lines snaked around the block at some stores. Photo: Jonathan Borg

The US-exported sales day has grown in popularity in recent years, with an increasing number of local retailers jumping on the discount day bandwagon and slashing prices for the event. 

Black Friday, which falls on the day following Thanksgiving, has been the US's biggest shopping day since 2005, with billions of dollars spent over the four-day weekend. 

That retail bonanza however pales in comparison to China's similar one-day event Singles Day, which this year saw $38 billion worth of sales ring through shopping tills in China.  

Photo: Jonathan Borg