Here we go again, the bombardment of Black Friday has started. Your emails are about to be flooded with ‘amazing deals’ and ‘hefty discounts’.
But this unconscious shopping whirlwind surely can’t be good for the planet and a growing number of people are starting to question and boycott shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Over consumption is at its absolute highest and Black Friday only adds into this, yet small businesses feel that they have to create offers in order to keep up with the larger companies - it’s all wrong, and I think you, like me, know it is too.
Back when I first started Doodling Lucy I created some discounts, just like many other small businesses, in order to feel like I was apart of something. If you are a small businesses reading this who has also created a deal I don’t blame you. It’s everywhere and it feels like you have to be apart of it.
But, have you ever questioned how these big businesses can create these discounts? Is it because they’re making such a HUGE profit on their product already that they can afford to make these big cuts and still make a profit?
Whilst us small businesses are creating our products at a fair price all year round - creating cuts that stay in line with Black Friday means often selling at a tiny profit or in some circumstances at a loss.
Doodling Lucy products are priced fairly all year round
The big guys are getting bigger and the small guys are drowning in the price cuts.
That’s all before talking about its environmental impact. The fashion industry, especially fast fashion (I’m looking at you Shein and PLT) is already incredibly polluting however Black Friday is feeding this even more by encouraging people to spend more and more.
More global consumer spending means more products being manufactured and shipped worldwide, so it’s no surprise that Black Friday’s carbon footprint has grown accordingly. Black Friday 2021 was expected to emit 386,243 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions n the UK alone.
But what can we do?
Well first of all, let’s not judge those who go in for Black Friday - for some it’s the only time to get products that need at a cheaper price. The same goes for businesses (especially small) who decide to be apart of it too. Judgement helps no one.
Instead, you can watch your own spending - come out of the unconscious spending and back into the conscious spending. Ask yourself
- Do I already have this or something similar?
- How well made is this? Will it stand the test of time?
- How many times will I wear this? Is it a one off wear?
- Am I buying this because I need it or because it’s ‘a bargain’?
After all these questions you may still want to buy it - and that’s ok!
If not best to leave it in your ‘basket’ just don’t fall for the ‘have you forgotten this?’ follow up email!
Lucy x