Criticism of Black Friday

Black Friday was an American tradition when retailers noticed a spike in shopping after Thanksgiving. In recent years it has globalised and is now an annual event that even Europe takes part in. The goal is to encourage shoppers to purchase from the sales.

Black Friday is quite controversial for it encourages mass-consumerism and waste. Shoppers buy out of impulse to feel like they are taking part. Even further, it is criticised for being an American tradition making no sense for other countries to take part. Instead it is seen as a sale convenient for buying Christmas presents.

In recent years more people have spoken out about not participating in Black Friday and instead staying indoors. Brands will keep participating as it expected from customers and are pressured to take part to not fall behind competitors. Brands like Patagonia however had an anti-black friday campaign so there is hope for more brands to take a stance on social issues like mass-consumerism.