It’s hard to argue that Black Friday isn’t mostly an imported orgy of rampant consumerism, but it’s good to see some outdoor brands, notably Patagonia and Trek & Mountain’s GEARHEAD newsletter partner Ellis Brigham using it as a platform to put something back in 2018.
In the past, eco-aware leader Patagonia has donated 100% of its global Black Friday sales to grassroots organisations working to create positive change at a local level. It was also the day, back in 2011, that the company ran its ‘Don’t Buy This Jacket’ ad in the New York Times, underlining the truth that every purchase, no matter how sustainable the product, ‘takes something from the planet we can’t give back’ – cynics will note that the campaign apparently triggered an upsurge in Patagonia sales.
Patagonia’s 2011 New York Times advert
This year, the brand created by ‘1% FOR THE PLANET’ founder Yvon Chouinard is urging European Patagonia customers to take positive action for the planet by supporting designated local NGOs and coming into the brand’s shops to find out more about them. In the UK, Patagonia’s Manchester store will be working with Friends of the Earth specifically to highlight the environmental issues around fracking with store window takeovers and a talk on the issue by a lead campaigner at 6pm on Friday. More info here. https://www.facebook.com/events/194111424761340
Even if you’re not in Manchester, you can still support the group’s campaign against fracking by signing the online petition at:
https://act.friendsoftheearth.uk/act/stop-government-forcing-fracking-communities
Elsewhere in Europe, Patagonia stores are raising awareness of local groups and issues. In Chamonix the cause is local organic farming. In Dublin, Climate Case Ireland. And so on.
Ellis Brigham are doing their bit
GIVE 1% BACK WITH ELLIS BRIGHAM
Outdoor retailer Ellis Brigham is also doing its bit for the environment this weekend with 1% of every online sale from 23-26 November going to one of its designated outdoor and environmental good causes. They include the likes of the Youth Adventure Trust, which works with vulnerable youngsters through a series of adventure camps, POW – Protect Our Winters – a group which aims to work with passionate outdoor people to work towards solutions to climate change as well as Mountain Rescue and the Woodland Trust.
You can find full details at https://www.ellis-brigham.com/advice-inspiration/blogs/news-and-blogs/give-back-weekend
UNADULTERATED CONSUMERISM
Of course there are plenty of Black Friday promotions from outdoor brands, many of whom have an ongoing commitment to the environment year in, year out.
Land Rover has slashed prices on its Explore phone with savings of more than £185 on a Black Friday Bundle including phone, case, glass screen protector, bike mount and much more. Details at: https://landroverexplore.co.uk
Berghaus is offering Black Friday reductions of up to 50% off on items ranging from waterproof jackets through to walking boots – down jackets too, just as things start to get properly cold out there: https://www.berghaus.com
Satmap has Black Friday deals mooted on mapping cards and accessories plus a whopping price cut on their Active 12 GB Pro bundle, down from £400 to £275 from 8am on Friday: https://www.satmap.com/
Suunto is going to be offering up to 45% off its GPS multisports watches along with free shipping over the Black Friday weekend: https://www.suunto.com
Salomon is running Black Week with reductions on chosen clothes and packs, though not footwear: https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/promotions/blackweek.html
