Why Black Friday Is Killing Small Businesses — And What We’re Doing Instead
Every year, as the nights draw in and the fairy lights go up, small businesses brace themselves for something far less magical: Black Friday.
What started as an American post-Thanksgiving shopping craze has turned into a global pressure cooker — one that quietly suffocates the independent shops, makers, and boutiques that keep our high streets alive. If you’ve ever wondered why so many small businesses dread November, here’s the truth that rarely gets said out loud.
1. Black Friday Trains Customers to Wait — and Not Buy When It Matters
Independent boutiques rely on steady, honest sales to pay rent, wages, suppliers, and the never-ending list of bills that never make it to Instagram.
But Black Friday teaches customers to wait.
To wait for discounts.
To wait for deals.
To wait for something cheaper from a warehouse giant with the budget of a small country.
For small shops, that “wait” can be devastating. Cash flow drops just as we pay for winter stock. And if we discount heavily to compete? We’re slicing away the tiny margins that keep us alive.
2. The “Deals” Aren’t Real — But We’re Expected to Compete Anyway
Most major Black Friday deals are smoke and mirrors.
Big retailers inflate prices in October only to “reduce” them later. They manufacture in bulk at rock-bottom costs. They use algorithms that create false urgency.
Small shops can’t — and shouldn’t — operate that way.
Our pricing is fair.
Our margins are honest.
Our stock is curated, not mass-produced.
Trying to compete with brands who underprice intentionally is like trying to run a boutique in a hurricane.
3. Black Friday Teaches Us That Everything Should Be Cheap
And here’s the uncomfortable truth: cheap always costs someone.
Cheap clothing often costs workers in unsafe factories.
Cheap homeware costs the planet — usually ending up in landfill within months.
Cheap deals cost the town — fewer businesses, fewer jobs, fewer reasons to visit the high street.
Small businesses don’t aim to sell the cheapest thing.
We aim to sell the right thing — chosen with care, not clicked in a panic because a timer shouted “5 minutes left”.
4. Black Friday Drains the Joy Out of Christmas Shopping
Remember strolling the high street with a hot chocolate, browsing sparkly windows, talking to real humans who care what you’re gifting?
Black Friday replaces all of that with:
– Stress
– Panic buying
– Fake countdowns
– Endless parcels
– A delivery driver on his 300th drop of the day
It strips the magic from the season we work all year to make special.
5. It Doesn’t Support the Community — It Drains It
Shopping small supports:
✨ A local family
✨ Local staff
✨ Local creatives
✨ Local suppliers
✨ Local landlords
✨ Local charities
✨ Local events
✨ Real community spirit
Amazon doesn’t sponsor Tiverton schools or charities.
Shein doesn’t know your name.
Temu doesn’t make magical Christmas windows.
Your local shops do.
⭐ The SNOB Fabulous 4
Our 4 pillars — the heart of how we do things:
1. Fabulous Quality
Beautifully chosen pieces that last longer than a season.
2. Fabulous Fit & Confidence
Clothes for real bodies, real lives, and real women.
3. Fabulous Community
We support Tiverton; Tiverton supports us.
This is how high streets survive.
4. Fabulous Experience
The styling, the windows, the app, the laughter, the personal touch.
No algorithm can replicate that.
⭐ **Our Fabulous 4 Gifting Offer
(Our Anti–Black Friday… that actually helps small business thrive)**
Instead of slashing prices and racing to the bottom, we’re offering gifting deals that celebrate small business and reward loyal customers — without harming our makers or margins.
Mix and match from selected accessories and gifts.
Perfect for stocking fillers, teachers, Secret Santa, or just spoiling your favourite women.
You choose the four — we gift you the cheapest.
The softest, snuggliest, most luxe winter essential.
Buy one for you + get one at a special price to gift
(or… keep both, we won’t judge).
Warm. Chic. Lasts forever.
Exactly the opposite of Black Friday throwaways.
🎁 **Asymmetric Slouch Jumper Offer
— Buy One, Gift One (or keep them both!)**
The hero SNOB knit that looks good on absolutely everyone.
Comfy, cool, flattering — and now a perfect gifting deal.
Buy one → get a second at a beautiful price.
One for you, one for your sister/mum/friend…
or both for you if you’re in your “treat yourself” era.
⭐ What We’re Doing Instead at SNOB
No pressure.
No false countdowns.
No chaos.
No bargain-bin energy.
Just beautiful pieces, fairly priced, sold with love by humans who care about your style and your town.
We’re choosing sparkle over stress, community over chaos, and sustainable joy over disposable bargains.
If Black Friday wants to kill small businesses, we’re simply choosing not to play.
Instead, we invite you to shop slowly, joyfully and intentionally.
To keep your money in your community.
To unwrap the magic of Christmas the way it’s meant to be — with meaning, not mayhem.
Because when you shop small, you’re not just buying a product.
You’re keeping a dream alive.
