In addition to Black Friday, there are also alternatives

In addition to traditional shopping days such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, their alternatives that promote sustainable shopping are beginning to emerge around the world. According to the European Consumer Centers Network, many stores in Europe and around the world opted for Green Friday last year. Under it, companies donated part of their profits to environmental projects or offset the carbon emissions caused. Other examples are Buy Nothing Day, which aims to challenge existing shopping habits and encourage people to reduce their consumption, or Buyback Friday and Green Sunday. These, in turn, focus on used goods. "Second-hand shopping not only extends the life of a product, but also saves money and resources," recall consumer organizations. They also warn that customers should be careful about discounts offered during Black Friday or shortly after Cyber ​​Monday. While some offers may seem advantageous, they aren't. Many stores refer to the recommended retail price for the discounts they offer. However, before Black Friday, it is often higher than the market price. Advertising promises therefore deliberately mislead consumers. A study by the German price comparison website "Idealo.de" shows that consumers expect a lot from discounts and that further pressure is exerted on them when offering individual discounted products with statements such as "only 5 items left" or "other customers are looking at this product. “. "If you can be patient, it's better to shop after Christmas, when real sales await you," recommends the European Consumer Centers Network.