Shocking Facts About Black Friday

Black Friday is one of my favorite shopping days of the year. Every year, I get nervous. This is a great time to shop for presents, as it occurs before Christmas. Yet, we must consume less. Which approach is best?

Personally, I have swung back and forth between calling it #JustFriday and debating whether or not to shop, to highlighting how wasteful the discount weekend is, and back again. This year, I want to share my ultimate guide for shopping sustainably on Black Friday.

WHAT IS BLACK FRIDAY (REALLY)?

Black Friday is known as the day when consumers can shop at huge discounts. It is held every November on the last Friday. It might surprise you to know that Black Friday is not a day when all brands gathered and agreed to reduce their profit margins in order to make it more affordable for customers to buy items at a lower price (even though they may market them as such). Black Friday is a time for retailers and brands to encourage you to shop. Once you get in, they push you to buy, using pressure tactics and dark patterns online and in stores.

What about the discounts promised? 99.5% of Black Friday deals are either cheaper or at the same price as other times of year.

9 Shocking Black Friday FACTS

Black Friday has been and will continue to be a commercially problematic event. These are nine facts that will help you understand why…

1. Black Friday is the largest shopping day in the US, and many other countries echo this sentiment. It encourages excessive consumption under the pretense of holiday gifts and generous discounts.

2. After the toxic road traffic that shoppers cause, the day is called “Black Friday”. Actually, the colour refers to exhaust fumes from cars and smog created by large numbers of vehicles. The name Black Friday was given to it by Philadelphia police officers who were frustrated with traffic management.

3. Black Friday is a popular day for retailers to see huge sales increases. Even struggling brands such as Argos saw a 45% increase in sales. Don’t be fooled by the brands – this day is all about making money and not giving away.

4. Black Friday sales are almost entirely driven by hype and impulse. Retailers know this! Avoid buying certain items if you are being pushed to. These are usually deadstock or pieces that won’t sell elsewhere.

5. Cyber Monday and Black Friday are both sales periods in which tech and clothing are most popular. More than half of the shoppers will be buying electronic goods, and almost a third of them will be purchasing high-street fashion.

6. Despite this huge increase in purchases, buyers’ remorse can be even greater. Green Alliance and Waste Recovery research shows that up to 80% of electronics and clothing purchased on Black Friday are destined for landfill. It’s not just the fuel waste, but also the packaging that is being wasted, which makes it a serious problem.

7. Did you know that households produce 25% more rubbish between now and New Year’s Day, according to the Waste Management Association? This is a US statistic, but the story is similar elsewhere.

8. Even if you choose to recycle, it can still pose a problem. The curbside recycling of cardboard boxes in certain areas now accounts for just half of the total, up from 15% in 2005. This means that cardboard boxes are often sent to landfill rather than being picked up more frequently.

9. Many retailers have boycotted Black Friday to protest the excess consumption. This is the highest ever figure recorded by British Independent Retailers Association (Bira).

4 QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF ABOUT BLACK FRIDAY

Despite all of the above, I do not advocate for boycotting Black Friday. There are still ways to save money and still shop sustainably. It can still be a positive thing if you approach the commercial weekend with an educated and thoughtful mindset.

My best advice for Black Friday shopping is to make a shopping list in advance. You can be smarter by finding these products early and comparing their prices on the day. You can then see if the products are really discounted and decide if it is worth the investment.

Shopping sustainably, in my opinion, is about finding a balance between changing your buying behavior and demanding better. While I don’t advocate shopping without thinking, I do recommend shopping responsibly. Black Friday is a day to get rid of all the junk that was not wanted throughout the year. It also entices you to take advantage of time-pressured deals to make you think less and buy more. These statistics speak for themselves.

These questions will help you plan a sustainable shopping experience.

1. DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

Do you really need it? This question should be asked whenever you feel like shopping, but it is especially important on Black Friday. Do not let the flashy deals and time pressure cloud your judgment.

2. CAN YOU BUY IT ANOTHER WAY?

Second-hand is a great way to shop sustainably. This helps reduce the need for new labour and new materials as well as shipping emissions. Depop, eBay and Gumtree are all great places to shop. It’s a great way to save money and still find the things you love.

3. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHOOSE ETHICAL OPTIONS?

If buying secondhand is not an option, you might consider purchasing ethical and sustainable brands. Lucky for you, I created a huge guide to sustainable fashion brands last year. There are also guides for homewares and beauty. These guides might inspire you to shop smarter on Black Friday and throughout the year.

4. IS THE RETAILER ETHICAL?

If you absolutely cannot live without it, buy it secondhand or from an ethical or sustainable retailer, then at the very least, consider purchasing your item from an ethical seller. Because of their poor labour practices, business practices and ongoing tax evasion.