Policy

“Black Friday in times of war: where to buy goods at huge discounts in Ukraine

ANALYSIS FROM

“Black Friday 2024 in Ukraine is a great opportunity to buy the goods you need at competitive prices. On this day, stores across the country turn into real shopping centers, offering discounts on clothes, shoes, appliances, household goods, and other popular products. Huge signs with the words “Black Friday” attract customers’ attention, and the event itself sets records for the number of great deals.

The main differences between Black Friday in Ukraine and abroad

“Black Friday, known in the United States since the 1980s, has long been an important part of shopping culture in many countries. Initially, this tradition spread across Europe, and in Ukraine it began to be actively implemented only about 10 years ago. Therefore, it is not surprising that this factor is the main reason for the differences in Black Friday celebrations in Ukraine and abroad.

Features of Black Friday in different countries

Night shopping. In the US and Europe, Black Friday starts at midnight on Thursday and Friday. People are actively preparing for shopping, and the most intense phase of shopping is at night. By morning, store shelves are often empty. In Ukraine, however, nighttime queues in stores are not as common. Although online shopping starts late in the evening, it does not affect mass demand.

Creating queues. In America, Black Friday means huge crowds of shoppers storming stores to take advantage of discounts. In Ukraine, however, such a picture can be seen only in shopping centers in large cities. There is no mass participation in sales by ordinary citizens.

Battles for goods. Abroad, there are cases of fights for desired goods or a place in line during Black Friday. In Ukraine, such incidents do not occur, which is a big advantage for shoppers.

Duration of discounts. In the world, Black Friday usually lasts one day or a maximum of three. In Ukraine, however, sales can last even a week, which allows buyers to have more time to find the best deals.

The difference in discounts

Another important difference is the size of discounts. In the United States and Europe, sellers try to sell more goods as quickly as possible, so discounts can reach 70-90% without a prior price increase. In Ukraine, however, there is sometimes an “artificial” increase in prices before Black Friday, which makes sales less profitable for buyers. This is also one of the reasons why Black Friday in Ukraine has not yet gained as much popularity as in the US.

The scale of Black Friday: Ukraine vs the US

In the United States, more than 90% of stores organize sales on Black Friday. In Ukraine, however, this day is only beginning to gain popularity, and discounts are offered mainly by large retailers, marketplaces and Ukrainian brands.

As for the participation of the population in sales, in 2017 only 18.5% of shoppers participated in Black Friday in Ukraine, and two years later this figure increased to 30%. However, the trend has declined significantly in recent years. In the US, more than 60% of the population actively buys on Black Friday.

How do people spend their money on Black Friday?

The average Ukrainian spends about UAH 3,000 on this day, while a European or American can spend more than $300 (over UAH 11,000). This is another reason why Ukrainians are not as active in participating in discount promotions.

“Black Friday in Ukraine in 2024

In 2024, Black Friday will take place on November 29, but from the beginning of the month, you should pay attention to special offers from stores and online resources. Many discounts and promotions can be found in online stores, making it convenient to shop at home.

“Black Friday covers a wide range of goods, including:

• Electronics: TVs, smartphones, laptops, tablets.
• Clothing and footwear: discounts on previous seasons’ collections from well-known brands.
• Home appliances: refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners.
• Cosmetics and perfumes: promotions on popular brands and products.
• Home decor and furniture: discounts on interior items and furniture.

Black Friday Online

“Black Friday 2024 is on the way, and many Ukrainian and international platforms are preparing for large-scale sales. If you want to get the best deals, it’s important to know when discounts start in different stores and online resources. Preparing for shopping in advance will help you not to miss out on the best deals on your favorite products.

Ukrainian online platforms and discounts

• Rozetka: The sale of the year starts on November 29.
• Allo: The biggest sale of the year will take place from November 17 to 26.
• Comfy: Bright discounts for Ukrainians start on November 20.
• Epicenter: “Black Friday starts here on November 29, and the promotions will last for several days.
• Citrus: Discounts will be available online on November 25.
• Notino: The Black Friday sale will last from November 25 to December 1.

International online platforms and discounts

In addition, many global online stores that deliver to Ukraine have also prepared discounts for Black Friday. Here are the platforms worth paying attention to:

• AliExpress: The Chinese online platform, where you can find almost any product, will start its sale on November 23 and end on November 30. Discounts of up to 80% are planned, as well as many promotional codes and coupons for additional savings.
• eBay: One of the largest online marketplaces in the United States is offering deals on many products, although the exact start of the sale has not yet been announced.
• Amazon: “Black Friday on the American site will start on November 29. Discounts of up to 90% are expected, so it is worth following the updates on the platform.
• IKEA: Furniture and decor sales at IKEA will start on November 29. The store promises to hold Black Friday 2024 on a particularly large scale.
• Alibaba: The Chinese online store known for large wholesale purchases offers big discounts on a variety of goods. “Black Friday will be held here on a special scale.

How not to miss the best deals?

Black Friday sales can last for several days, so it’s important to be aware of when the sale starts on your chosen platform. Keep an eye out for announcements of promotions and don’t forget about additional promo codes that can help you save even more. “Black Friday 2024 will be a great opportunity to buy the things you need at attractive prices – both in offline and online stores. So don’t miss the chance to take advantage of this unique opportunity and save on important purchases!

Author – Daryna Glushchenko