Thank God it’s Friday, many will think to themselves today. Because once again, special offers and supposedly low prices invite organised 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.
The allure of Black Friday
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.
The rising wave of dissent
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 behaviour on the part of each individual, it fits perfectly into our era of Fridays for Future.
Finding a sustainable middle ground
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 favourites 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.
- Swissoja Geneva-based pioneers in organic tofu and soy products, crafting delicious and nutritious options like tofu, skewers, burgers, soy drinks, and Okara since 1977. Read the interview we did with them a few months ago here!
- Cadesio: Cadesio, founded in 2019, uniquely blends the art of chocolate making with a passion for social change. Using their range of nine distinct chocolate flavors, each with its own story and foundation, they aim to spread hope and inspire societal transformation.
Impact investing: A rewarding alternative
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.
