Thank God it’s Friday, many will think to themselves today. Because once again, special offers and supposedly low prices invite organized consumer excess. Almost all types of sellers will take advantage of this annual opportunity to boost sales – from small boutiques to large malls to Amazon.
First originating in the United States as a one-day-only promotion in brick-and-mortar retail, Black Friday established itself in Switzerland at the beginning of our century. And it is expanding: We have moved on to Black Friday Week including Cyber Monday. Entire industries focus on this event when coordinating their marketing measures. After all, it’s the phase just before Christmas, which is crucial for sellers. And many consumers share their enthusiasm, even looking forward to this year’s planned shopping frenzy with more anticipation than to the feast of love.
That said, dissent is on the rise: A 2020 DemoSCOPE survey showed every second Swiss person would abolish Black Friday if they could.
But there is another way: “Buy Nothing Day” day of protest in which participants pledge to buy nothing for 24 hours to raise awareness of the negative environmental, social, and political consequences of overconsumption.
And it turns out there is another way. “Buy Nothing Day“, a day of protest in which participants pledge to buy nothing for 24 hours to raise awareness of the negative environmental, social, and political consequences of overconsumption.
In the USA it takes place on the last Friday of November, i.e. Black Friday – in Europe on the last Saturday. Invented in 1992 by Canadian artist Ted Dave, Buy Nothing Day is still largely unknown in Switzerland. However, it has the potential to become increasingly popular here as well: with its goal of promoting conscious, sustainable behavior on the part of each individual, it fits perfectly into our era of Fridays for Future.
But is there a more moderate, sustainable way than abstaining from consumption – a “happy medium” between buying and not buying?
Another meaningful way to use your money on Black Friday is to invest in companies that share your values: Impact investing makes it possible to create change and wealth at the same time – which can feel just as rewarding as a conventional splurge.
Yes, there is, if you focus on local companies that are committed to sustainability and ethical production. Supporting such companies might just be the best way to shop guilt-free.
Here are our favorites to get you started:
- Livegreen was launched with the mission of introducing Furoshiki in Switzerland: These simple, creative and sustainable wrapping cloths are the ideal way to wrap presents this Christmas – and they make a pretty good present themselves, too.
- Nosho sells handpicked sustainable products – from cosmetics to pasta to cleaning products.
- Kurts features products from small local businesses, produced fairly and packaged ecologically – a good place to get your Christmas shopping done.
Another meaningful way to use your money on Black Friday is to invest in companies that share your values: Impact investing makes it possible to create change and wealth at the same time – which can feel just as rewarding as a conventional splurge.
Whichever way you choose to go, here is the bottom line: While many will spend hours today scrambling through department stores or clicking on the Internet for all the supposed low prices when bargain hunting, you could really save: Time, nerves, and ultimately money. – Or, if you do love to spend, make sure you do it in the right place.
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