Fair trade pioneer Traidcraft is calling on people to take a step back from the Black Friday frenzy as a recent survey found a third of the public (33%) are put off shopping because of it.
After £2bn was spent on Black Friday last year, retailers are gearing up for the biggest shopping day of the year, with discounts launching earlier than ever. Yet instead of getting caught up in the chaos, Traidcraft’s ‘Just Friday’ initiative is offering an alternative for shoppers around the UK.
The independent survey commissioned by the organisation found more than a third of respondents (36%) would like to see Black Friday stopped altogether. Meanwhile, two fifths of people surveyed are unlikely to be buying online this Cyber Monday, the event which follows Black Friday, although more than one in 10 will be keeping an eye on deals during the working day.
Now in its third year, ‘Just Friday’ calls on people to take a moment to stop, breathe and buy their gifts mindfully and ethically. By buying from ethical organisations, consumers shopping on Black Friday can use their spending power to help people in developing countries.
Traidcraft’s marketing director, Larry Bush, commented: “After the success of previous years, we’re running our Just Friday initiative again to encourage people to take a step back from the chaos of Black Friday and put a bit more thought and enjoyment back into the shopping experience.
“Last year we saw over 1 million people engage with our Just Friday campaign and we also recorded our best ever weekend for online sales of ethical gifts and products which goes to show that there’s growing support for a positive alternative to the mindless shopping frenzy of Black Friday.”
Find out more about Traidcraft by visiting www.traidcraft.co.uk
