Black Friday, one of the biggest days in the shopping retailer calendar, has been met with backlash as fast fashion companies sell products at ‘unethical’ prices from as low as 8p.
On the last Friday of November every year, Black Friday sees stores across the UK slash their prices in the name of the unofficial first day of Christmas shopping.
Fast fashion companies have faced backlash from environmentalists over the past years, with dresses from online retailers like Pretty Little Thing being sold for just 8p last year.
Critics responded to Pretty Little Thing by calling the brand ‘unethical,’ and questioning the human cost of creating garments at this price.
Even with ethical and environmental doubts, tempting prices and amazing offers led to the UK spending over £8.6 billion on Black Friday weekend 2020.
However, big spending also led to an increase in home deliveries, with Forbes predicting the country to total 429,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions this Black Friday, with fast fashion brands being one of the most profitable on the day.
A spokesperson from Greenpeace said: “Because it is so cheap, fast fashion is one of the highest selling product categories on Black Friday, with many major fashion brands and retail giants jumping on the bandwagon.”
“While it is hard to resist the allure of the next must-have outfit, the environmental impact lingers and is all too real. Today’s trends are tomorrow’s trash.”
