Black Friday Sales 2023

Navigating Black Friday Deals with a Clean Conscience

As Black Friday approaches here in New Zealand & Australia, the air is thick with the promise of deals and discounts. At the same time spring is well and truely here, and we're starting to plan out adventures for the summer and looking forward to the holidays starting.

Then right at the end of November, when anticipation is really starting to build we're hit with the biggest shopping event of the year - Black Friday Sales and Cyber Monday. And in the midst of these bargains, crazy deals on appliances, electronics, TVs and all sorts of other gear, the question looms: Is this shopping spree really a good thing?

Or are all these fantastic discounts something we should try (and probably fail) to resist?

Black Friday Sales 2023, Are they Sustainable?

"Exclusive Sale - Best Black Friday Deals!"

"Best ever deals available until Midnight"

"Get your Playstation in this year's Black Friday Sale!"

"Find the best deals this Black Friday, don't miss out!"

"Free shipping and 10% off when you Shop Online!"

Understanding why Black Friday Deals & Discounts are so Irresistible

Black Friday is one of the biggest days in the retail calendar, and these headlines show why, this sales period is simply irresistible for most people. What started as an after Thanksgiving sale in America has turned into an international shopping phenomenon.

In New Zealand & Australia, Black Friday 2023 marks a time when consumers eagerly anticipate major savings on big-ticket items, and have a chance to get amazing deals on their Christmas shopping in the biggest shopping day of the year. This day has cemented its place in the holiday shopping season, with fantastic deals too tempting to ignore.

There are many reasons why people enjoy shopping, even without the deals. Shopping releases the endorphin Dopamine, which is one of our feel-good hormones. Add in a crazy event like Black Friday Shopping and it becomes hard to resist making a grab for all those incredible deals.

Why will the Black Friday Sale be the biggest Shopping day of 2023?

The short answer: Black Friday is fuelled by demand from both directions, consumer demand and retail incentives, and it's not always a pretty picture!

The longer answer: Retailers & Brands like ours can see soaring revenues during this period, while shoppers know they wait all year for the deep discounts that make essential purchases more accessible. It’s a symbiotic relationship where desire and opportunity meet - It's joined boxing day as one of the biggest shopping events of the year. People know they can get expensive items they need or presents for the holiday season, and save money doing it.

For a brand like ours, participating in Black Friday allows us to get our sustainable message out to a wider audience, who may not have the means to buy quality, sustainable products otherwise.

If we were to opt out of Black Friday, another less sustainable brand would fill the space instead. We need sustainable brands to opt in and push our positive messages even harder during events that promote consumerism like Black Friday.

Rather than boycott, we choose to be present, providing better alternatives and give you the chance to save money while buying the products you really want. We're hoping we can encourage more people to make good changes and become more thoughtful consumers.

Black Friday Sales, one of the biggest shopping events of the year. Shoppers getting angry

The Art of Thoughtful Consumption

We believe in thoughtful consumption, especially during high-sale periods like Black Friday. Buying with intention means selecting products that last and align with personal values. It’s about being a conscious consumer in a world of constant sales pitches.

The fact that you're reading this means you're already thinking about this. We're here to say that you can celebrate Black Friday and get products you're looking for on special, while also being more mindful about your shopping.

black friday 2023, can you shop mindfully?

Encouraging Mindful Shopping Choices

We advocate for informed decisions, try not to buy immediately based off click-bait! Research, read reviews and choose brands that resonate with you. This Black Friday you can get that hit of dopamine from getting a good deal on a good product, by looking for value and quality. It's about shopping smarter, not just shopping more.

Aligning Values with Purchases

This holiday season, think about buying from the brands you support. Choose those that reflect your values and consider the full lifecycle of their products. Sustainable, plastic-free, and compostable options are available and they're waiting to be part of your thoughtful purchasing plan.

Investing in quality also means you'll feel good about your purchases in the long-term. We encourage everyone to prioritise products they will use daily and love long-term, rather than buying stuff that makes you feel good in the short term, but in the long term ends up discarded. This Black Friday, keep an eye out for quality, usefulness and durability, these are the real benchmarks of a great deal!

The 24-Hour Rule: Curb Impulse Buying

Take a day or more to think over your purchases, a good way to practise this is to start building a wish list before Black Friday arrives. Then don't forget to try to limit yourself to the list! If you need to allow yourself one or two of impulse buys (we're all only human after all!).

Building a list before the day allows you to really decide, do I need this, or is this just an impulse? Rather than buying immediately after an email lands in your inbox, consider marking it as unread and coming back the next day.

On the day itself, just take that moment to consider: is it the deal that excites you, or the product itself?

Responsible Packaging and Product Life Cycles

Our commitment is to offer products that come in responsible packaging and have the whole lifecycle considered, from growing the raw materials right through to the end of life.

This Black Friday, we invite you to join us by choosing products that add to your life without taking from the environment. Are the materials sustainably sourced? How will it be disposed of at the end of it's life?

Shopping In-store and Online, which is better?

It used to be that to avoid spending you could just avoid the malls and you'd be able to save your money. Now even if you shop online, there are still plenty of deals available as soon as you open your phone.

It's really down to knowing your own shopping habits - will you spend less if you shop online or if you go and buy what you need in-store? If you walk past Noel Leeming, will you be sucked into looking at TVs or Laptops and end up buying one? Or will you be more controlled in-person and more likely to splurge on a new pair of footwear when you're browsing on your phone.

Only you know how you respond to different shopping experiences.

Consumerism and Sustainability: Striking a Balance

Zero waste and zero consumption are idealistic goals, but they're completely unattainable for the majority of people. Plus the economic systems we've built around the world rely on some level of consumerism to keep functioning. We believe in conscious consumerism, where being sustainable doesn't mean buying nothing – it means buying smarter.

Participating in Black Friday allows sustainable brands like us to reach a wider audience, who may not have the means to afford sustainable products otherwise. Rather than boycott, we choose to be present, providing better alternatives and encouraging responsible purchase decisions.

We took part in Black Friday last year and we thought it was a success. We didn't notice a huge uptick in sales, because we can't afford to offer the insane discounts some retailers offer, but we did pick-up some new customers who might not have found us otherwise.

The Takeaway:

Shopping with a degree of Thoughtfulness

It's actually ok to enjoy Black Friday and the thrill of a good deal! Rather than abstaining from this we're simply advocating for a shift in focus towards products that are high quality and brands that have considered their environmental impact.

This Black Friday, let's shop not just with our wallets, but also look at the companies who are offering Black Friday deals and buy from the ones our values align with.

Key Takeaways:

Black Friday is here to stay.
Thoughtful consumption beats out boycotts by encouraging responsible purchasing.
Quality and sustainability should be at the forefront of everyone's shopping decisions.
Ethical brands can use Black Friday as an opportunity to spread positive consumer habits.
Make an impulse buy or two, but consider how you feel about the product, rather than just the deal!
It's possible to balance the joy of shopping with the need for mindfulness.

This Black Friday, embrace the deals, but also embrace the chance to make a difference with each purchase.

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