Black Friday dawns. A very new thing here in France but it has definitely taken on a life of its own.
As someone who lived in the USA, I am used to the concept of Black Friday because it came after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is always on the last Thursday of November, hence the Friday theme. And I get that the day after Thanksgiving hearts and minds turn towards Christmas or Hannukah. So gift giving jumps to the forefront of the mind, and with a long weekend, it’s a very good opportunity to go out and buy. Hence why the Black Friday sales began.
But, I do find it weird that it has travelled outside the USA. Then again, as Christmas is the next big holiday it also makes a lot of sense that there be a sort of ‘On your mark. Get set. Go!’ concept to shopping around the world. Or at least for those countries that celebrate Christmas. The thing is here, since there is no Thanksgiving, Black Friday begins on 1st November and lasts all month. Or more.
However
Funny enough, even as a shop owner, Black Friday is an anathema to me. I get the whole discount thing. Who wouldn’t? But, the year round approach is so much more fun. When I see something that I feel would suit people in particular, I buy it. Any time of year. It then goes into the Pressy Box until such time as a birthday, or Christmas, calls it to be let out and dispatched.
Or, and this is more and more the case of late with delving into slow living, I like to make gifts. But even with slow living there is still not always time, opportunity or idea, and so its still worth keeping my eyes open as I meander throughout the year.
Black Friday Push Back
And as for Black Friday? As that shop owner, I have tried various sales and generally not been very successful – at least around the Black Friday time period. It seems I was not discounting enough. These days the discounts are simply too much. It used to be a little discount went a long way. Then 50% became the norm. Now, the expectation is even more, 70% – 80%.
My shops are on Etsy, which showcases handmade and vintage. Neither of which are mass produced, so discounting something like that is not as easy. Let’s add in that if I wished to discount, it is far more successful at other times of the year. Trying to compete with the large mass manufactured is simply a no brainer. I can’t compete, so I have begun saying No Thank You to Black Friday.
Loyalty Matters
As a small business, some discounts can help to install loyalty. But more so, I think dialogue does. And I would far rather customers approached me directly and ask for a discount if that is going to make or break the sale. I do love a good haggle. And everyone’s pockets vary in size. Also, I do love actually ‘talking’ to my customers, even if it is purely online. Customer loyalty is not instilled by discounts. Or at least not the type of customers I would like coming to my shops.
If you read through any of my blogs, you will have realised I am about mindful living, slow living versus fast fashion if you prefer. Pumpjack & Piddlewick has a loyal following (you can subscribe to receive my posts in the column on the left) and I believe this is engendered by curating what is offered, being consistent and being loyal to my customers. It’s a lovely circle.
Your Invitation
I invite you to come in, browse and shop from France with me. Today, or any day, both my Pumpjack & Piddlewick shop (selling fab, and okay a little quirky, finds from France) and my vintage French Silk Scarf shop (which sells, um, French silk scarves). You might get lucky and discover there is a sale. But then again, you might not. (But we could always haggle.)
If you enjoy my musings on life, do check out my Nourish Pumpjack & Piddlewick page.