October 31st, 2025
Should Small Businesses Join Black Friday? Black Friday 2025 is on November 28th. Prepare to capitalize on the largest shopping day of the year.
As a small business owner, should you participate in Black Friday? My answer is a resounding “yes, you should”.
Let me clarify, I have my reservations about Black Friday. I find it to be a distasteful concept for numerous reasons.
I think it often promotes overconsumption and diminishes the perceived value of high-quality products, and small businesses typically cannot afford substantial discounts while they are already facing challenges in maintaining profitability.
Each year, these so-called bargains seem increasingly focused on large corporate retailers getting rid of their subpar inventory or offering unrealistic deals, in my view.
It is no longer confined to just one day, with some retailers and marketplaces promoting Black Friday deals a month (or even two months) before the actual event. For 2025, Black Friday will land on November 28th.
That said, it appears to be a fixture in retail culture. It’s a significant sales day, making it unfortunate for small businesses to not participate, be part of it, and thereby secure their share of the sales revenue.
Small businesses always offer authentic deals during sales and promotions. They often outshine the larger companies and provide their customers with much more meaningful offers.
How Small Businesses Can Approach Black Friday
Making Black Friday beneficial for both you and your customers is crucial. You can opt for a straightforward percentage discount across the board if that suits your needs. Alternatively, you can be more innovative in your approach, providing both discounts and wonderful deals for your valued customers.
One of the greatest advantages of being a small business is your ability to be adaptable and inventive. Unlike larger retailers, you can personalize your Black Friday promotions with a thoughtful touch.
Whether it’s a beautifully packaged mystery box, a themed gift collection, or a heartfelt thank-you note containing a future discount in every order, these thoughtful details help your offers stand out and encourage repeat business even after Black Friday.
Innovative Black Friday Strategies for Small Businesses
Here are some suggestions for you:
- Utilize it to move slow-selling inventory, allowing customers not only to purchase the discounted item but likely to add more items to their cart while shopping.
- Upsell by creating product bundles, e.g., buy 4 notebooks and receive a 5th free.
- Offer themed gift sets; purchasing them together could provide a slight discount.
- Sell mystery boxes filled with items at a reduced price. I fell for one of these last year and absolutely enjoyed unwrapping it and discovering the contents. It felt genuinely special. I will certainly do that again, and I ended up spending much more than I originally planned. So, it’s a win-win situation for both the shop and me, as their customer.
- Provide a discount now as well as a future one to encourage customers to return.
- Offer free delivery throughout the weekend.
- Include a complimentary gift for every order over a specific amount.
- Enter everyone who makes a purchase during Black Friday weekend into a prize draw.
There are numerous ways to creatively present Black Friday offers; I hope this list sparks some ideas for you.
Different Perspectives on Black Friday
If you’re still thinking “I absolutely won’t be part of Black Friday”, let me suggest a different perspective. I like to view it as a way to reward your loyal customers for choosing to shop with you. Does that make it feel more palatable?
If you’re concerned that providing discounts might diminish your product value, remember to present your offers as a reward rather than a reduction. For instance, including a free gift or a special bonus for purchases above a certain amount allows you to maintain your brand value while still engaging in the Black Friday excitement.
During the holiday season, you want to capture your customers’ spending before someone else does. What do I mean by this? Most individuals have a list of people they intend to shop for, usually within a set budget. Once they have bought for someone and maxed out their budget, they check that person off their list and often stop spending.
Black Friday often marks the commencement of this list-ticking, so small businesses lose out if they are not involved from the get-go with a creative offer, becoming part of the gift-giving process on that day.
Advantages of Black Friday Participation
Here are some advantages of engaging in Black Friday for Small Businesses:
- Boosted Sales Volume: Capture the interest of shoppers actively searching for bargains.
- New Customer Acquisition: Attract new clientele who might not have discovered you otherwise.
- Clearing Out Old Inventory: Move slow-moving or outdated items, freeing up both space and cash flow.
- Fostering Brand Loyalty: Provide deals that reward existing customers, reinforcing their bond with your brand.
- Encouraging Early Christmas Spending: Take advantage of customers who are beginning their holiday shopping, ensuring you’re included in their budget.
Opting Out
If Black Friday doesn’t resonate with your business principles, it’s completely acceptable to opt out; follow your own path without any judgment.
It’s essential to do what feels right for your business, and only you are aware of what that is. However, before you hastily dismiss the idea of engaging in the chaos that is Black Friday, I urge you to consider if there’s something you could do that would benefit both your business and your incredibly loyal customers.
It’s unfortunate to withdraw automatically because, like me, you believe Black Friday to be a negative occurrence.
It’s happening, and it’s massive, so don’t allow the impersonal corporates of this world to reap all the benefits; claim your share of the action.
…and Finally, I Would Love Your Thoughts
<p What are your thoughts on Black Friday for small businesses?
Will you participate in Black Friday this year? Has what I’ve mentioned altered your perspective on whether to take part?
Share your plans or concerns—I’m eager to learn how you’re approaching this challenging yet rewarding retail occasion!
Comment on my Instagram post here or email me [email protected]. I’m keen to hear your thoughts about Black Friday.
If you’re joining in, why not visit my Instagram feed and add your offer to my Black Friday post? I will promote what I can.
Barbara
All opinions expressed in this blog post are solely mine. At the time of writing, all shops mentioned are part of my shopping directory. While I reference many shops here, you should form your own judgment regarding whether the shop and their products are suitable for you. Clicking on a shop link will direct you to their website, where you will be subject to their terms and conditions.
Tags: Christmas, Shop Talk **Reasons Small Businesses Should Engage in Black Friday, the Grandest Shopping Day of the Year**
Black Friday, traditionally the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, has transformed into a global shopping phenomenon. For small businesses, partaking in Black Friday can present multiple benefits that can greatly influence their financial outcomes and brand visibility. Here’s why small businesses should ponder joining this retail celebration:
1. **Boosted Sales and Revenue:**
Black Friday is linked to shopping sprees and discounts, drawing millions of consumers eager to make purchases. For small businesses, this is an opportunity to enhance sales and acquire significant revenue in a brief time frame. By offering attractive deals and promotions, small businesses can entice both new and returning clientele, leading to higher sales figures.
2. **Improved Brand Visibility:**
Engaging in Black Friday can significantly bolster a small business’s visibility. With increased consumer interest and media attention, businesses can take advantage of this heightened focus to spotlight their products and services. This can result in greater brand recognition and exposure, helping small businesses connect with a wider audience.
3. **Customer Acquisition and Loyalty:**
Black Friday draws a diverse customer demographic, providing small businesses with a prime opportunity to attract new clients. By delivering outstanding service and quality offerings, businesses can convert new shoppers into loyal patrons. Additionally, providing exclusive deals to existing customers can further strengthen relationships and promote repeat purchases.
4. **Inventory Optimization:**
Black Friday serves as an ideal occasion for small businesses to offload old inventory and create space for new merchandise. By thoughtfully planning promotions around outdated stock, businesses can alleviate excess inventory while still ensuring profitability. This approach not only streamlines inventory management but also enhances cash flow.
5. **Gaining a Competitive Advantage:**
In a saturated market, small businesses can utilize Black Friday to distinguish themselves from larger competitors. By presenting unique products, personalized services, or exclusive promotions, small businesses can draw in customers seeking alternatives to big-box retailers. This competitive advantage helps small businesses establish a niche in the market.
6. **Online Engagement:**
With the boom of e-commerce, Black Friday has extended beyond physical stores to online platforms. Small businesses can harness digital marketing techniques to interact with clients online, promoting deals through their websites and social media channels. This strategy not only heightens online sales but also bolsters digital presence and customer engagement.
7. **Creating Momentum for the Holiday Season:**
Black Friday signifies the start of the holiday shopping period. By joining in, small businesses can generate momentum that carries into the end of the year. Successful Black Friday campaigns can set a positive tone for sustained sales growth during the holiday season, amplifying profitability.
In summary, participating in Black Friday offers small businesses a wealth of advantages, from increased sales and brand visibility to enhanced customer acquisition and inventory management. By strategically creating and executing promotions, small businesses can leverage the power of Black Friday to achieve significant growth and success.
