The biggest sale of the year: how to save money on Black Friday
1 December 10:17
In Ukraine and in most countries around the world, discounts are ongoing to coincide with the so-called Black Friday. It is the start of the sales period before Christmas, when most goods and services are offered at huge discounts.
The phenomenon of Black Friday is that even people who are indifferent to shopping can spend too much and get caught up in the discounts. Read about how to avoid spending too much money and make successful purchases in "Komersant Ukrainian"
When is Black Friday in 2025?
Black Friday is celebrated every year on the last Friday of November, the day after Thanksgiving. In 2025, Black Friday falls on November 28, but the promotional offers are valid for the entire week, starting on November 24.
The history of Black Friday
The first major sales appeared in the nineteenth century in the United States, when entrepreneur Frank Woolworth decided to sell all goods for a symbolic five cents. His experiment was so successful that in one day he received the revenue he would normally have had in just one week. It was then that other sellers began to adopt the practice of massive discounts, laying the foundation for modern sales.
The real phenomenon of Black Friday took shape in the mid-twentieth century. In the United States, this day traditionally falls after Thanksgiving, when Americans begin active preparations for Christmas. During this period, stores offer record discounts, stimulating a wave of holiday shopping. This is the reason why Black Friday in the United States is usually characterized by crowded shopping malls, kilometer-long lines, traffic jams, and even stampedes and fights over goods. According to one of the most common versions, it was law enforcement officers who gave this date the name “Black Friday” because they faced traffic jams and chaos in stores every year.
In Ukraine, the Black Friday tradition appeared relatively recently, only in 2013. Nevertheless, it quickly adapted to local specifics. Unlike the American model, where discounts are valid for only one day, Ukrainian stores and service providers extend the season of promotions for several weeks. In many stores, Black Friday discounts start in early November and seamlessly transition into the New Year’s sales season.
One of the main differences is the scale of the discounts: while in the United States you can buy things or appliances with up to 90% off on Black Friday, the Ukrainian market is somewhat more restrained. Despite the fact that it is almost impossible to find such large discounts in Ukraine, Ukrainians can still often find bargains, especially for appliances, clothing, and household goods. At the same time, there have been numerous cases of deliberate price increases in Ukraine on the eve of Black Friday to increase profits.
How to avoid unnecessary spending on Black Friday: practical tips for shoppers
Despite the allure of discounts, Black Friday often turns into a period of impulsive purchases and unreasonable spending. To protect your budget and take advantage of really good deals, you should follow a few simple but effective rules.
Make a clear shopping list
Experts advise you to create a complete list of necessary goods in advance, arranging them in order of priority. Really important purchases should be put at the top of the list, and less important ones should be put at the end of the list. This approach will help you avoid the temptation to spend money on unnecessary trifles.
Study available offers in advance
Preparations for large-scale events should begin even before the start of the campaign. You should check in advance which stores and online platforms participate in sales and what discounts they promise. You should also pay attention to advertising announcements, outdoor ads, and brand messages, as this will help you find the most profitable options faster.
Make sure the seller is reliable
When shopping online, it is especially important to check the reputation of the store. Before placing an order, it is advisable to read reviews from other users, the seller’s rating, and carefully check the website address to avoid falling for scams. Domain errors or an unusual interface may indicate that the site is not authentic.
Keep track of the real value of goods
Some sellers artificially increase prices on the eve of sales to create the illusion of a large-scale discount. To avoid such manipulative marketing, it is recommended to monitor the cost of goods at least a few weeks before the sales. The most convenient way to do this is to use price aggregators that show price dynamics over a certain period.
Plan your budget
Before you go shopping, you should decide on the amount you are willing to spend, setting a minimum and maximum for yourself. If you are planning to make an online order, you need to make sure that you have enough money on your bank cards and set the desired limit for online payments. If you pay in cash, you should prepare the necessary amount in advance to pay for the selected goods, while avoiding spontaneous expenses.
Check the goods before paying
Some stores may use Black Friday to sell goods with minor damage or defects. To avoid trouble, buyers should carefully inspect the product before purchasing it, paying attention to the condition of the case, packaging, and labeling.
Remember the right to return
If after the purchase it turns out that the product has a defect, you can return it. The law allows you to do this within 14 days, provided that you keep the product in its original condition, label, and receipt. This rule applies even during sales, so buyers can safely exercise their right to return goods of inadequate quality by refunding the money they paid for them.
Thus, Black Friday can be a great opportunity to save money, but only if you take a balanced approach. To avoid unnecessary expenses, you should take the time to plan your purchases, check out stores, monitor real prices, and plan your budget wisely. By following these simple rules, shoppers can make their shopping experience as safe and as efficient as possible.
Author: Olya Yushko
