Should South Africans participate in Black Friday?
The American tradition has taken over South African stores in recent years and critics say that Black Friday 'has no space in SA'. Jane wants to know what you think
Black Friday became a phenomenon in the USA when stores took to reducing the price of items, thus opening up the festive shopping season. Prices were slashed to the bare minimum and created store traffic - it's no wonder the rest of the world followed suit!
Read: Don't let Black Friday become Black December!
Ordinarily, you know how much I love a bargain! Scratching around a thrift shop is so my love language. However, seeing a retail store slash its prices irks me when you see the inflated mark up on the now 'affordable' item.
Sure, I get it, we all need to make money somehow, but in a country that sees folk battling with the cost of daily living, it seems a bit unjust?
Read: Cyber safety tips to apply this Black Friday
I understand that to a lot of people these specials are a breath of fresh air, considering the extremely high cost of living, but the footage from the last Black Friday was alarming. I couldn't believe the damage to property and disrespect shown to fellow humans as cost-saving masses broke windows, doors, and stampeded their way through.
I hope that this year stores set the right measures in place to ensure that the same series of events do not take place again this year!
Read: How to be a smart shopper on Black Friday
As for me, I will be going nowhere near a shop this Black Friday.