Traidcraft urged consumers to avoid the frenzy and instead support fair trade organisations
Scottish shoppers are being urged to step back from “thoughtless consumption” this Black Friday.
Fair trade charity Traidcraft said consumers should instead buy products from ethical organisations where every pound spent will help people in the developing world.
It comes as a survey commissioned by the organisation found almost half of Scots will avoid the shops on Black Friday while four in 10 would like to see the event scrapped altogether.
Traidcraft is now urging people to consider ethical shopping as an alternative as it launches its third annual Just Friday initiative.
There’s growing support for a positive alternative to the mindless shopping frenzy of Black Friday
Larry Bush, the charity’s marketing director, said: “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 one 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.
“With recent reports suggesting Black Friday may not even provide the cheapest deals, it’s no surprise that a significant proportion of people are put off shopping on that day. Even if just a tiny proportion of the £2 billion spent last year was spent with ethical, fair trade organisations, we could make a huge difference to people’s lives around the world.
“We hope this year we’ll help even more people overcome some of the stress and negative emotions associated with shopping and think about buying more meaningful gifts for their loved ones.”
Bruce Steinberg, managing director of ethical retailer People Tree, added: “Retailers such as People Tree and Traidcraft are constantly proving that brands can produce with respect for people and the planet.
“Thoughtless consumption is negatively affecting people on both ends – shoppers as well as artisans, producers and farmers. By shopping mindfully and spending with ethical and sustainable brands this Just Friday, we can empower, bring environmental and social change and step-by-step transform the economy.”
Just Friday takes place on the same day as Black Friday, which this year falls on 25 November.
