Black day indeed: Spend local to save our towns

It is not necessary to be a curmudgeon — but it helps — to recognise that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are contrived marketing swizzes with a single objective — to shift product in time to get it under the Christmas tree. Despite that, a survey commissioned by PwC shows how very successful the idea has become in a relatively short time.

Around 1,000 people were surveyed and an average Black Friday/Cyber Monday spend of €251 was recorded. More than a third — 36% — will buy up to a quarter of their Christmas gifts, while over 28% will buy up to a half. Almost two thirds — 62% — of shopping will be online.