Every year in November, consumer fever rises: Black Friday, Cyber ​​Week, endless bargains! Many of us hope to save a lot of money during this time, but is saving on this day really as fair as it sounds, and do we really gain as much as we think?

Even though the low prices and huge selection of products may seem tempting at first, we should first consider how such price jumps can even come about.

Production costs don't suddenly become lower in November than in other months of the year, and the product isn't manufactured more cheaply as a result.

Artificially inflated prices and their costs

The discount is therefore pre-financed elsewhere. This happens, for example, through a prior price increase, which then creates the illusion of a huge discount for customers on Black Friday.

Mass production artificially enables such low prices by exploiting and overworking textile factory workers and using cheap and sometimes even harmful materials. The quality of these discounted products is also questionable. Cheaply produced items often break down more quickly, requiring more frequent replacements. In the long run, this actually results in higher and more expensive consumption.

Many production chains and brands factor in overproduction in advance, resulting in the production of far too large quantities. A portion of this is sold at normal prices, while the remainder is marketed on Black Friday. The discount, therefore, is the result of social and environmental costs and not a genuine, fair saving.

No discount policy

Against this backdrop, many ethical brands have adopted a no-discount policy. Even on Black Friday!

A discount campaign or special offer could signal that sustainable and fair-trade products are available at reduced prices and that their price is negotiable. Profit margins are already very low for these products, as production and distribution incur costs. Their focus is on durability, quality, and value.

If prices are lowered and product ranges are reduced, there is a risk that the appreciation for craftsmanship will suffer. The core idea of ​​fair and sustainable production using high-quality materials therefore contradicts discount campaigns that focus on mass production and short-term profit.

Solidarity pricing as an alternative

For example, the fair fashion brand Oktopulli focuses on solidarity pricing instead of discounts. This is because fair and durable clothing should be accessible to many people without negatively impacting the value chain.

 

While the annual Black Friday may sound like a great time for bargains, we risk undermining sustainable values. Therefore, it's better to choose brands that offer fair prices all year round.