"BLACK FRIDAY" AND OTHER DISCOUNT ILLUSIONS
The "Black Friday" Myth: More Appearance Than Reality
Once a year, retail transforms into a battlefield of percentage signs. "Black Friday" – or rather: the global holiday of shopping frenzy – has been staged for years as the ultimate shopping highlight. Those who don't participate seem to miss out. But is that really the case?The Origin of "Black Friday"
"Black Friday" is originally an American shopping event. The term originated in Philadelphia. In the 1950s, the annual Army-Navy American football game took place there on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Fans who had already arrived the day before flocked into the city to do their Christmas shopping. The influx of out-of-town tourists, football fans, and Christmas shoppers led to massive traffic jams and congestion, requiring the entire Philadelphia police force to be on duty.Since all personnel were needed, officers were not allowed to take the Friday after Thanksgiving off. To manage the major event, the entire task force had to work a particularly large number of overtime hours. This led the police to refer to the day as "Black Friday." By the 1960s, this name had become established.
Black Friday: The Prime Example of Discount Illusions
Black Friday is no longer just one day. It has evolved into an entire season: Pre-Black-Friday, Super Deals, Cyber Week, Cyber Monday. The result is a barrage of discounts that few people still understand.
Discounts activate the brain's reward system and affect many people similarly to a rush of euphoria. The belief of getting a "bargain" often triggers satisfaction and impulsivity. Statistically, however, up to 90% of Black Friday offers are not real bargains.
Discounts activate the brain's reward system and affect many people similarly to a rush of euphoria. The belief of getting a "bargain" often triggers satisfaction and impulsivity. Statistically, however, up to 90% of Black Friday offers are not real bargains.
- A large portion of the "deals" are no cheaper than during the rest of the year.
- Many products are specifically produced for such promotions – often cheaper, less durable, and of inferior quality.
- Retailers often use discount days to get rid of inventory that would otherwise not sell.
- Only a very small percentage of offers are genuinely advantageous in terms of price.
"Black Friday" promises a lot – but often all that remains is the illusion of a bargain.
What Extreme Discounts Really Do:
- Promotional campaigns for limited-time discounts artificially put pressure on consumers, leading to impulse purchases. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is stoked. The consequence: consumers invest in products they don't need, and the return and waste rates increase.
- They promote the overproduction of predominantly inferior goods, leading to higher CO₂ emissions, unnecessary resource consumption, and ultimately more waste.
- They put supply chains under pressure and diminish the appreciation for products and people. To enable low prices, companies must cut costs elsewhere. This results in lower wages, increased production pressure, and unfair working conditions.
- Discounts are often based on artificially inflated MSRPs or are the result of manipulated before-and-after prices. This creates distrust and ultimately undermines confidence in fair, "genuinely calculated" prices.
Why True Values Are Timeless
A good product does not suddenly lose its value just because it's the end of November. The prices of the TOM-RIPLEY collection are honestly and fairly calculated all year round. We value the material, the craftsmanship, and all the people behind it. We want our products to be bought because they are convincing and appreciated – and not because of short-term discounts.
Style and Value Consciousness – an Italian Perspective on Consumption
The Italian craftsmanship that TOM RIPLEY represents relies on respectful production, fine materials, and sustainable style. True values are not created in a shopping frenzy. They are created through respect, transparency, and the choice for quality.
Just as a good meal with family and friends will never be replaced by the rush of a fast-food snack, the mindful purchase of a high-quality TOM RIPLEY cardigan or polo shirt is more than the fleeting thrill of a sale day.
It's about enjoyment – about the feeling of "Dolce Vita in Perfection."
It's about enjoyment – about the feeling of "Dolce Vita in Perfection."