Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the UK, and every year seems to get bigger and promoted earlier. But with the effects of excessive consumerism being linked to global warming and the growing landfill crisis, Black Friday savings come at a cost.
We’re encouraging people who do choose to shop to use their spending power for good by getting involved with Buy Nothing New Day instead.
Our social enterprises all over the UK offer a sustainable shopping alternative and support our work helping people on their journey out of homelessness.
Our shops
Second-hand doesn’t mean second best, and our shops across the UK sell a wide range of good-quality pre-loved items.
All our stores are social enterprises and fund our work rebuilding lives after homelessness. Items in our shops are sold by the people we support, and money raised is used to provide a safe home, structured support, and training for as long as people need it.
When you shop at Emmaus you not only gain access to unique and affordable items not found anywhere else on the high street, but help support people who have experienced homelessness and save goods from going to landfill.
This year, you can show your support for Buy Nothing New Day by shopping sustainably and helping to change lives. You can find your local Emmaus shop here or browse our online stores.
Black Friday origins
Like many of the UK’s newer traditions, Black Friday started in the US. It’s held the day after Thanksgiving when retailers cut prices to encourage impulse purchases.
The consumer frenzy has found its way around the world. Since gaining traction in the UK in the 2010s, Black Friday has led to scenes of people camping outside shops for hours to secure bargains and fighting in the aisles.
Buy Nothing New Day
In 1992 a Canadian artist coined the term ‘Buy Nothing Day’ in protest against the ever-growing consumerism of Black Friday.
In more recent years, Reuse Network put their own spin on it, creating ‘Buy Nothing New Day’ to encourage people to shop more responsibly and ethically by buying second hand.