Suffolk shops in Woodbridge to boycott Black Friday

The owners of a group of small, independent stores in Woodbridge have slammed the annual ode to consumerism, introduced to the UK in 2010, saying that it 'depletes the value' of brands offered by smaller shops and fails to champion ethically-made products.

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Woodbridge businesses participating in the boycott of the event next Friday, November 24, include Vanil, Chevenix Jewellers, Little White Box, Pocket, New Street Market and The Merchant's Table.

Mandy Leeson, owner of independent retailer Vanil, which specialises in Scandinavian-inspired accessories and furniture, said: “We will not be supporting Black Friday because it depletes the value of our brands and is not what we stand for.”

Sam Denny-Hodson, owner of New Street Market, was also backing the boycott.

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Sam Denny-Hodson, from New Street Market, in Woodbridge is also backing the Black Friday boycott (Image: Satsuma)She said: "We are totally against Black Friday and champion fair prices for our ethically made clothing and homewares.

"We are a small independent store offering a carefully selected range of beautiful products. We leave Black Friday to big store groups who buy cheaply and add a big mark up.”

Kerry Farrar, of eco toy shop Pocket, said customers visiting her store experienced the 'personal touch' which the big retailers could not offer.

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She added: “Black Friday undermines our proposition as a retailer which sells goods with enduring value, a strong sense of provenance and the influence and heritage of craftsmanship skills.

"By not taking part we are embracing respectful retailing – respect for our makers and respect for our customers.”

And Rebecca Brooker, from Little White Box, added: “We just do not believe in the practice of inflating prices just to slash them for Black Friday.”

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