The Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales are shaping up to be bigger than ever this year if overstocked retailers are forced to clear billions of dollars in extra inventory purchased in the hope of a consumer spending bounce after lockdowns.

Retailers including Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Super Retail Group, The Reject Shop, Wesfarmers’ Kmart and Bunnings chains, footwear retailer Accent Group and appliance maker Breville have boosted inventories as a buffer against global stock shortages and shipping delays.