Every year, as November progresses, the pressure to join the Black Friday sales starts to build. It's undeniable that Black Friday has become a huge part of the retail calendar.
However, at Just Makers, we take a different and much calmer approach, and we wanted to share why:
1. Handmade products aren't built for big discounts
Our artists and makers don't mass produce. They create small batches or one off pieces. Their margins are honest and not inflated, which means the big discounts that we see from big brands just aren't feasible and they wouldn't be fair either.
Discounting handmade work that's been made by professionals who have spent years developing their craft can unintentionally take value away from those artists, which isn't something we're willing to do.
2. We aim to price fairly all year round
Let's be honest.. we all know the games that big businesses play. Inflate the prices for the sake of a dramatic 'price cut' discount offer. At Just Makers, we prefer to keep things simple and honest.
When you buy something from us, whether it’s November or July, you know you’re paying a fair price that reflects the skill, time and materials behind it.
3. Quality over quantity
We want people to take home something they will love or a gift that they feel will truly speak to the person they are buying it for. We don't want you to feel rushed into a purchase because a discount timer is ticking.
Our shelves are filled with items that are made to last: pieces made locally with stories attached, as well as craftsmanship and character. We aren't in the business of selling generic, imported or throw-away items.
4. Sustainability matters to us
Overconsumption doesn't fit with our values at Just Makers.
Black Friday is about a day (or fortnight!) of impulse buying and unnecessary waste, which doesn't sit well with our beliefs.
By celebrating handmade and small batch products, we're choosing a slower and more sustainable way of shopping, which is something we know many of you value too.
5. We believe in community
We very happily get involved with communities and movements, such as Small Business Sunday and Just a Card, as they genuinely align with our values and support artists, makers and independent shops.
And we want you to feel part of our community too, aiming to offer a warm and welcoming shopping experience, whether that's in our shop or online, we want it to be somewhere that you feel able to browse, chat, ask questions and shop without the pressure.
6. Supporting Yorkshire artists and makers is at the heart of all that we do
The majority of our artists and makers aren't hobbyists. This is their business and their livelihood, just as it is our livelihood in running the shop at Just Makers.
Our artists rely on the income they generate by selling their hand crafted products with us. Heavy discounts impact their livelihoods and businesses, just as it does ours, and that's something we can't afford to risk.
When you buy something from us, you help us to keep traditional skills alive and support real people doing what they love, so that you and I can take home something they've made that we really love. That's far more meaningful than a flash sale!
7. We're proudly Yorkshire!!
Let's be honest, last time we checked, Black Friday really doesn't have many Yorkshire roots to it.
We'd much rather champion local traditions and creativity than get into global trends that might just be a bit too commercialised for who we are!
8. We do reward loyalty, just in our own way
While we don't join in the Black Friday frenzy, we do truly want to reward customer loyalty. We very much value the people who support us.
Therefore, we do try to give back in other ways:
- putting time and care into the products we curate, listening to what our customers tell us they like or want to see more of
- running workshops and events
- offering quality customer service, with a friendly and personal experience
- fair everyday pricing
- our greeting card loyalty card for in-store shoppers
At the end of the day, Black Friday just isn’t us. We’re a small Yorkshire business supporting local artists and makers, and our focus is simply on offering fair prices, good quality and a relaxed shopping experience all year round.
So while the big retailers are going full steam ahead this week, we’ll be carrying on as usual: stocking lovely handmade products, chatting with customers and helping you choose gifts that feel right and not rushed.
If that sounds like something you align with too, then we'd love to see you in our shop or please do shop with us online.
