The brands giving back for Green Friday and Giving Tuesday

We may be in the throws of the Black Friday weekend, but not everyone is as keen as you might think to get in on the sales event.

Many people feel some retailers inflate their prices in the months leading up to Black Friday to make it look like the "sale" price is much better. In reality it's near the actual RRP, or even some times, higher. In fact, consumer group Which? carried out a study which found that 98% of prices Black Friday sale prices in 2021 were cheaper or the same price at other times in the year.

This especially rings true this year, during the cost of living crisis as many people are still suffering the financial effects of the pandemic and bills steadily continue to increase.

Enter the newer initiatives which started out as a more positive response to Black Friday's consuming ethos: Green Friday and Giving Tuesday. Both have threads of activism running through them and prioritise sustainability and philanthropy.

What is Green Friday ?

The organisation Green Friday aims to counteract what it calls "needless spending" that goes hand in hand with Black Friday, as some prices that look too good to be true lure impulsive buyers in.

It wants to move "towards a much more positive relationship with our lives, our world and all they have to offer" and it challenges us "to move away from hard-core consumerism", which it feels Black Friday exemplifies.

The organisation gives a really positive spin to contrast the event, and says on its website that it "inspires millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity." It suggests that individuals, companies and retailers can take part by donating or initiating social action, charity schemes and much more.

It wants people to step away from their phones and laptops looking for a deal, and instead invest time in family, friends, meditation, nature – literally anything else. It also suggests using the weekend to spread the word about Green Friday, and turn the tide green.

What is Giving Tuesday?

Taking place on Tuesday 29 November, the day after the sale's final day, Cyber Monday, it came to life in 2012 in the US and has a UK arm too. The idea here is to give back, which was a direct response to buying and consuming more and more.

In the decade since the movement started, it's grown legs and spread around the world and calls itself a "global day of generosity", which we find pretty uplifting. It encourages indidivudals, charities and businesses to get involved to by donating money, starting a campaign and of course, raising awareness.

Brands giving back on Black Friday weekend