Black Friday; What you should know

With Black Friday upon us yet again, it's very easy to get caught up in the excitement of a good deal and the satisfaction that you believe you've grabbed a bargain.  You may add an item you were 'umming and arring' about but the low price tag made you think, why not. What you may not realise though, is that

87% of those 'Black Friday' deals are actually cheaper at other periods of the year, demonstrating that the whole day is not what people have been led to believe. In reality, instead of impulse buying, if you really want something that's a little more pricey,  watch it for a couple of months and grab it when you see a reasonable price could save you even more money.

At John Lewis for instance you can ask to know what the prices have been on the item you're interested in over the past few months, just so you're more aware of whether you're actually getting a good deal or not.

Black Friday means bugger all to the people in the UK. It's just something that US businesses have forced upon us in an attempt to increase their cash flow before December hits. It's feels pretty empty and soul less, and something that let's all be honest, we don't really care about or need.

Now I'm not saying don't buy an item on Black Friday, I'm merely asking that we all don't buy something for the sake of the low price. We have enough items in our wardrobes that we've bought because it was 3 for 2 or half price that we have worn only a handful of times. We really don't all need another.

Instead, view Black Friday as an opportunity to really support an ethical company if they are having a sale and show your support for the hard work they are doing to try and make the world a little bit better.

For instance, support Nike trainers who have chosen to back Colin Kaepernick who stood up against racial injustice by kneeling for the US anthem, instead of supporting New Balance who donated $400,000 to a Trump Victory Campaign.

Visit Weekday or Arket who use large amounts of recycled polyester and organic cotton instead of shopping in Topshop who have made very little attempt to get on the sustainability band wagon and who's owner is currently facing a serious string of sexual allegations.

Grab a bra and pant set from Organic Basics, Swedish Eco or Green Fibres who are all using organic cotton, carefully selected factories and all have sustainability at the heart of the business instead of grabbing a Calvin Klein Bra and Pant set.

Grab shoes from TOMS who have just donated $5 million to Gun violence charities in the US and donate a pair of shoes every time someone buys a pair of shoes instead of New Look who's low cost materials and bargains are fueling the fast fashion fire or head to WEARECOW who although they aren't having a sale are donating all money from purchases to charity on Black Friday.

You see, where we spend our money really does impact the future. If Iceland's palm oil free mince pies can sell out in Selfridges, and companies are having to talk more about their impact since Blue Planet 2, we too can show our support and encourage businesses to do better. Choosing to support businesses that are striving to create real positive change, instead of those who aren't, sends a clear message - that we are all conscious consumers, and we want to spend our money with companies that care about more than just their profit margin!

So this Black Friday, instead of just adding rubbish to your basket, ask yourself
1. Do you need this item?
2. Will you really use this item?
3. Does the company do good?
4. Am I actually getting a good deal?
5. And finally, was the environment or the workers negatively impacted by the item?

Because the more we know about where our things come from, the more we can do to make businesses clean up their act too!

Lots of Love
Erin