WE SAY "NO" TO BLACK FRIDAY

WE SAY "NO" TO BLACK FRIDAY

WE SAY "NO" TO BLACK FRIDAY

"If you want honey don't kick over the hive."

- American proverb -

 

We have spent weeks of continuous bombardment in media and social networks, which are full of ads with great deals for Black Friday... Offers that come even from brands that sell themselves as "sustainable" or "Slow fashion". At Bohemian we say "NO" to Black Friday. That's right, in capital letters. And we do it out of pure coherence. And the fact is that we never tire of saying that Bohemian is a brand that advocates sustainable fashion and local production. Joining initiatives like this would undoubtedly bring us more sales... But it would be at the expense of our principles. Because it would detract from our essence and would make us incur in an incoherence that is difficult to explain. And the fact is that Black Friday and sustainable fashion are simply and plainly at the antipodes.

For what reasons Bohemian not support this initiative? The answer is simple: our principles don't sell and Black Friday literally goes over their heads. In the following points, I explain it in detail.

1.- The waste generated by this global initiative aggravates the climate crisis.

A commitment to a more responsible and conscious consumption is mandatory if we want to continue living on this planet. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries. But at this time of year it is joined by all kinds of products that can be purchased at the click of a button, prioritizing sales over the common good and the care of our environment. The amount of waste generated by this initiative is scary... And the environmental resources needed to sustain the level of consumption reached in a single day (now a week!), and to manage the waste it generates, escapes all logic and causes an enormous amount of waste. environmental impact enormous.

This reason alone is enough for my brand not to participate in this type of sales.

2.-Le say "NO" to Black Friday. Consumption, always conscious

At Bohemian we shy away from compulsive and ill-considered purchases. We prefer "less and better" to "more and of poorer quality". During these dates, the advertising bombardment is such that many companies push us to buy products that we probably don't need. We spend more money than we would on a normal date.

3.- Black Friday hurts workers and local commerce

Ethical and sustainable production means a form of commerce in which all those involved in the design, production and sales process are properly paid. The deep discounts of many companies hide behind them significant cost cuts, which are often associated with the wages and working conditions of employees. Black Fridayalso encouragesexploitation and precarious temporary jobs.

Bohemian is Slow fashion
Bohemian is Slow fashion

We say "NO" to Black Friday. Because it hurts small brands

Local businesses, small entrepreneurs or responsible brands, do not have a large profit margin that allows them to match the great deals offered by multinationals and brands that work with usually high prices. Because local production by sustainable means is expensive at source. This is why Black Friday causes losses for those brands that do not inflate their prices small brands that do not inflate their prices throughout the year, to lower them only during certain periods ... Like this one in which we find ourselves.

5.- Point 4 links to this one... Fraud discounts

Have you ever wondered why discounts are only applied to certain products? Do you really think that it is done with the consumer in mind? On the other hand, what is the true value of a product (in our case, footwear) that today costs 150 - 200 - 250 euros and tomorrow is 30, 40 or 50% cheaper? Chances are that both prices are inflated. And is that raising prices weeks before Black Friday to lower them just during the dates on which it is celebrated, is a practice to which many companies resort. Not only to avoid losing profit margin, but also to increase it considerably, teasing consumers. At Bohemian we prefer to set the fairest and most proportionate price throughout the year. No changes. For ethics, because we sell value and out of respect for consumers.

6.- "Black Friday" and "Limited Edition" are opposing terms.

At Bohemian we like to produce well, responsibly and in limited editions. As a consequence, we do not have large amounts of accumulated stock that we can release at a great discount on a particular day. That is the way we work. Those who say they produce limited editions and sell at a discount on Black Friday are simply saying one thing and doing the opposite.

Local production and craftsmanship
Local production and craftsmanship

7- Black Friday hurts the world of local production and craftsmanship

There is nothing more ecological and sustainable than craftsmanship and local production. Because they recycle, because they use elements from nature and because they use them in a conscious way. Black Friday represents precisely the opposite and is a direct attack against them. And there is no artisan business that is halfway profitable in these days of consumer madness. In these difficult times, many small businesses are having a hard time... And Black Friday is giving them the blow. We will never contribute to it.

So much for today's entry, which I end as I began. For the sake of consistency, at Bohemian we say "NO" to Black Friday. That way, in capital letters.

Have a great Friday 🙂 Have a fantastic Friday 🙂

 

Eva Veiga - Bohemian Shoes

 

    Leave a reply