With many Black Friday deals proving to be less attractive than they seem, you may be wondering if you should forgo the shopping frenzy and seek out smaller, independent shops and more sustainable deals instead.
We’ve uncovered some alternative ways to shop for Christmas gifts, everyday items, and little treats that are less bad for the planet.
What is Black Friday anyway?
Black Friday, which this year falls on Friday 26 November, originated in the USA as an unofficial holiday the day after the traditional Thanksgiving celebrations.
Since it caught on in the UK around a decade ago, our enthusiasm for it has grown exponentially. According to Statista, shoppers spent £7.95 billion over the 2020 Black Friday weekend.
Black Friday offers now appear weeks in advance, and many continue beyond Cyber Monday and into December.
Should you shop the Black Friday sales?
There are always great deals to be found if you know where to look. But there are also pitfalls, so it pays to do some research and know what you want before you start spending.
Find out more: top 15 shopping tips for Black Friday sales
And with so many retailers offering attractive discounts, there’s a risk that we don’t just buy what we need; we buy because we are tempted by bargains.
Do you really need to buy anything?
Buying things we don’t need contributes to a throwaway culture and a rise in landfill waste.
A shiny kitchen gadget that’s never used, or a cut-price jumper that’s never worn, is not a bargain – it’s a waste of money, and a waste of the energy and resources that went into making it.
However, if you need to replace an essential item, or you want to get started on your Christmas present list, there’s no harm checking the Black Friday offers to find a good deal on something you’d buy anyway.
So if you do plan to spend, where will your money make the most difference?
How to buy better this Black Friday
This year, Black Friday weekend spending is expected to rise to £9.42 billion (Statista).
Spending just some of that in local, independent shops could make a real difference to small business owners. Buying locally-made, sustainable goods can also help the environment by reducing the need for shipping, and cutting packaging waste.
Here are five ways to turn your Black Friday green.
1. Shop Indie Week, 22-26 November 2021
Indie Week – billed as the independent alternative to Black Friday – is run by Just a Card, a grassroots campaign that encourages people to buy from artists, makers, independent shops, and small businesses.
Last year’s Indie Week saw over 55,000 independents take part. Search social media using the hashtag #justacard to find participating shops.
During Indie Week the Visibility Fair online market will showcase the work of around 400 small businesses, all available to buy online.
2. Support Small Business Saturday, 4 December 2021
Small Business Saturday is another campaign that encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses in their communities.
Their Small Business Finder lists retailers taking part and is searchable so you can find shops near you.
Small Business Saturday is supported by American Express, which runs regular promotions that reward Amex cardholders when they spend in participating small shops.
Amex Shop Small 2021 runs from 4 to 15 December. If you’re a cardholder, look out for the offer and add it to your card.
3. Visit your local high street
This year, more than ever, independent high street retailers need our support. Having survived closure during lockdowns, many still face lower footfall as people continue to work from home and shop online.
Smaller retailers often sell local, handmade, and sustainable products that you won’t find in chain stores or big online shopping sites.
Even if you can’t shop locally in person, there are online options too. Many high street shops sell through their own website or social media page, or online marketplaces.
Try Click It Local, a virtual high street selling everything from food, fashion, and gifts, to electronics and DIY. It allows you to buy from multiple independent businesses in one place, make one payment and have one consolidated delivery.
Or Trouva, which lists independent bricks-and-mortar boutiques and excludes online-only sellers. It’s Europe-wide, but you can limit your search to the UK, or find shops near you.
4. Try specialist online marketplaces
For unique handmade items, online marketplaces featuring independent sellers are the place to go.
Perhaps the most popular of these is US-based Etsy, but not everything listed is handmade or made locally. Production may be outsourced to factories, so check listings carefully, and use the filter options to find local sellers and handmade or vintage items.
With a reputation for high-end products, Not on the High Street currently lists only UK-based sellers and is selective about who can join. Shoppers can search for items that are made in Britain and/or are eco-friendly.
The smaller Folksy describes itself as the ‘home of British craft’, while relative newcomer NuMonday also provides a platform for UK artists and makers. Both list only UK-based sellers.
While such platforms are a good way for small businesses and craftspeople to reach a wider audience, they all charge various monthly fees, listing fees, or commission, which reduces the amount the seller receives.
If you can buy direct from the seller’s own website or shop, more of your money goes directly into their pocket.
5. Buy nothing on Buy Nothing Day, 26 November 2021
The UK Buy Nothing Day campaign began in 2000, with a simple message: Shop less, live more.
You can participate in Buy Nothing Day by literally doing nothing. It’s a 24-hour detox from consumerism, and it’s free.
So if you’re determined to avoid over-consumerism and save money this Black Friday, Buy Nothing Day could be the answer.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/11/make-black-friday-green-five-ways-to-shop-small-and-buy-better/