Irish consumers need to be loyal to indigenous retailers on 'Green Friday' and over the Christmas period if they are to remain open in the new year, the Champion Green campaign has said.
Launched in 2019 on the back of concern for local businesses losing out to global e-commerce giants, Green Friday is the alternative to Black Friday, the traditional post-Thanksgiving sales day imported from the US in recent years.
Champion Green, the retail sector campaign established during Covid to stoke public support for local business, is calling for consumers to support local industry and jobs, and keep money circulating locally, this Friday (25 November).
The campaign said for every €1 spent in local retail, €2.50 is generating in the economy, while most of every €1 spent with an overseas retailer is lost to Ireland. It is expected that consumers will spend about €4.5bn in the month ahead of Christmas.
Up to €50m is likely to be spent in Ireland over the Black Friday weekend, which has in reality been extended to a fortnight of online and in-store sales promotion, rather than the one-off exclusive or valuable discounts, Green Friday advocates say.
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“If we spent this money, domestically, the impact on jobs, local investment, our communities and the wellbeing of ordinary people, would be powerful”, said Minister for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English.
Evelyn Moynihan, of Kilkenny Design, added there is growing demand for locally-designed and made gifts that will last. “We may buy less in 2022, but the trend is towards responsible gifts and lasting quality," she said.
"The value of sustainable community is all the more obvious in a world where climate crisis, conflict, and over-reliance on global business giants can drive both inflation and displacement.”
Elizabeth Bowen, acting director of the Small Firms Association (SFA), said: “We are calling on consumers to support their communities by shopping in small businesses and buying local sustainable gifts or Irish-made products this Green Friday”.
For Green Friday Champion Green has advised conscious consumers to shop local, online or in-person, for gifts and experiences; to reduce their gifts' carbon footprint where possible, and boost local retailers with social media reviews and by signing up for their newsletters.
The campaign also advised shoppers used to buying with global retailers to buy one local gift for every one they buy with an overseas company, to check .IE websites are locally-owned or operated to avoid customs any import duties, and to stock-up on local gift cards and vouchers.
(Pic: Kilkenny Group)
