Black Friday news and archive

Industry insiders give their reaction to latest ONS figures

British clothing and footwear retailers suffered their sharpest year-on-year decline since January 2022, with sales falling 2.6 per cent in November, marking the second consecutive monthly decrease. The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) latest retail monitor, which concluded on November 23, captured only a partial picture of consumer...

Retail

Shopping malls see comeback in pre-holiday surge

U.S. shopping mall foot traffic delivered a robust performance in November, signalling a potential renaissance for brick-and-mortar retail that could extend into the December shopping season, according to the latest industry data. The revival is particularly noteworthy for indoor shopping centres, which registered a 6.4 percent year-over-year...

Retail

Black Friday 2024: What lessons does it offer for the Christmas campaign?

After the intense Black Friday, a date that has evolved to become a key thermometer for measuring consumer confidence and a turning point in retail sales, companies are preparing for a crucial stage of evaluation and adjustment. Historically associated with the transition from "red numbers" (losses) to "black numbers" (profits), this strategic...

Retail

Number of shoppers drop despite growth on Black Friday

An estimated 197 million people shopped during the five-day holiday weekend from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday in the United States, but lower than last year's record of 200.4 million, an annual survey by the National Retail Federation or NRF shows. However, Black Friday shoppers grew from last year, and remained the most popular day for...

Retail

Cyber Monday: UK shoppers to spend a 3.33 billion pounds online

The annual Cyber Monday shopping event reveals a change in consumer behaviour in 2024, with total spending expected to reach 3.33 billion pounds, demonstrating remarkable economic resilience despite marginal year-on-year fluctuations. According to VoucherCodes.co.uk's comprehensive "Shopping for Christmas 2024" report, consumer expenditure...

Business|Opinion Featured

Is ‘Black Friday’ still relevant?

Black Friday has finally arrived, but I’ve already had enough. Since last week, I've been inundated with newsletters full of offers, and while clearing out my inbox, I've wondered whether in a time of climate crisis, with the EU aiming for a circular economy by 2050 and enacting new laws to further enforce sustainability, a bargain fest that...

Retail

'Black Friday' deals target inflation-weary US consumers

The annual Black Friday shopping day has always been about finding the best deals, but this year retailers are preparing for a US consumer more zealously fixated than ever on getting value for their money. Inflation has stabilized after dramatic price spikes during the Covid pandemic years, but consumers are still feeling the pinch -- meaning...

Retail|OVERVIEW

Blue, Green, Repair and other 'Fridays': The alternative to Black Friday is becoming increasingly varied

The counter-narrative to Black Friday is starting to take on more and more different forms. The inbox is flooded with messages about Green Friday, but now Repair Friday, Blue Friday, Favorite Friday, Swap Friday and No-Fomo Friday are also joining them. Green Friday at Xandres Perhaps the most well-known term to choose a counter-voice for Black...

Business

Amazon workers strike on Black Friday: Workers demand fair wages, climate action

Amazon workers are striking for the fifth time in a row on Black Friday (Friday 29 November). With the campaign 'Make Amazon Pay', the global workforce of the e-commerce giant, in collaboration with unions and activists, wants to call on the company to pay fair wages, respect unions, end the alleged tax advantage and to combat climate change and...

Retail

Black Friday delivery delays expected amid 30,000 retail vacancies

UK retailers face potential operational challenges this peak shopping season, with nearly 30,000 postal and delivery driver vacancies threatening to disrupt online sales expectations. The Esendex 'Delivery Delays' Report reveals a critical workforce shortfall across logistics sectors, with England experiencing the highest risk, registering 43.7...

BusinessFeatured

Study: 'Doing nothing on Black Friday is better than having the wrong strategy'

While some brands, such as bag manufacturer Freitag, are stopping Black Friday sales altogether and others are luring in customers with big discounts, a large proportion of retailers are somewhere between these two extremes. The majority of consumers (85 percent) plan to take part in Black Friday and expect discounts of at least 30 to 50...

Fashion |In Pictures

Lucy & Yak launches charity collection to challenge Black Friday

Independent socially and environmentally conscious lifestyle brand Lucy & Yak is launching a limited-edition collection with long-time charity partner Fior Di Loto Foundation as part of its ongoing effort to challenge Black Friday. From November 25, the brand will offer a six-piece collection, including dungarees, trousers, tees, and bags,...