Online marketplace eBay UK has said it is continuing to demonstrate its “commitment to driving better shopping habits” by adopting a new approach to Black Friday this year.
The aim, it announced, is to help shoppers make purchases which are better for their wallet and the planet. As a result the Black Friday deals it will promote in 2022 will only be related to refurbished and pre-loved items.
Items such as laptops, phones, vacuum cleaners, and furniture – as well as fashion items – all of which have been previously used and then refurbished and prepared ready for resale, are among the products it will market to customers.
Over the last few years, there has been growing momentum behind ‘Green Friday’ as an alternative to Black Friday. Retailers such as Patagonia, Ikea, and Sofology have actively distanced themselves from the discount period, with the former two in particular raising the environmental concerns around promoting overconsumption.
Now eBay is adding its name to that list. It comes after its pre-loved fashion sponsorship of ITV reality TV show, Love Island, where it aimed to promote second-hand shopping and more circular consumerism.
Murray Lambell, general manager of eBay UK, commented: “In its current form Black Friday is broken, but it’s not too late to make it relevant for today’s consumer.
“While it was first introduced to offer consumers big savings ahead of the festive period, it no longer delivers on that same promise of value. For shoppers it creates a frenzy, with a ‘buying for buying sake’ mentality.”
He added: “The cost of living and climate crisis presents new parameters as consumer shopping habits continue to change, as we’ve seen a sharp increase in purchases for pre-loved and refurbished.
“We know there’s a better way that we can do Black Friday together. Our hope is to inspire the nation to think differently when they’re doing their Christmas or Black Friday shopping this year – if they buy one or two pre-loved or refurbished items to start with, it’s a positive step that allows products to take on a new life by keeping them out of landfill.”
New research from eBay UK has found that 52% of people will be shopping for second-hand or refurbished products this festive season, with saving money cited as the top incentive for changing shopping preferences.
[Image credit: eBay/Fabio De Paola]
