Black Friday (Black Friday) has become one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year in many countries, and Spain is no exception. This day, which takes place at the end of November, marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and is accompanied by advertisements of huge discounts, promotions and special offers. But is everything really as profitable as it seems? Let’s find out.
History and popularity in Spain
Black Friday came to Spain from the US relatively recently, in the early 2010s. It was initially a marketing tool of large chains such as El Corte Inglés, MediaMarkt and Zara, but soon smaller stores, including local brands and family-run businesses, joined in.
Today, Black Friday is popular not only among residents of big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, but also in smaller communities. According to research, more than 70% of Spaniards plan to shop on this day. In addition, many online retailers are also offering exclusive offers, making participation even more affordable.
Format of the event and duration
Although officially Black Friday lasts only one day, in Spain it often develops into an entire Black Week (Black Week). Many retailers start promotions a few days before the official date and continue until the end of the week or even Cyber Monday (Cyber Monday), which focuses on online discounts.
The peculiar thing about Spain is that many smaller stores and local brands customize promotions to suit them. This can range from 20-30% discounts on a limited range of products to gift promotions, like a second item for free.
Real discounts or a marketing ploy?
A question often arises among shoppers: how honest are the discounts? In Spain, as in other countries, it pays to be careful. Sometimes stores raise the prices of goods in advance in order to make a “discount” on Black Friday, which actually returns the product to its normal price.
To avoid getting caught up in marketing, it is recommended:
1. Keep an eye on prices in advance. A few weeks before Black Friday it is worth checking the price of the goods you are interested in and compare them during the promotions.
2. Use apps to track prices. In Spain, platforms such as Idealo or CamelCamelCamel are popular for comparing prices in different stores.
Addresses such as Idealo or CamelCamelCamel to compare prices in different stores.
3. See reviews. Sometimes discounts apply to products with less popularity or lower quality.
It’s worth noting, however, that many large stores, especially in electronics, do offer great deals. For example, MediaMarkt or FNAC often offer discounts of up to 50% on popular appliance models.
What should I look out for?
The most common things to buy on Black Friday in Spain are:
– Electronics and household appliances.
– Perfumes and cosmetics.
Closure
Black Friday in Spain is not only a way to save money, but also a great opportunity to prepare for Christmas by buying gifts at a bargain price. However, the key to successful shopping is planning, common sense and knowing how to distinguish a real discount from a marketing ploy.