IS BLACK FRIDAY STILL A CHRISTMAS CRACKER?
SARAH Hunt, 33, and Sandra Hunt, 62, mother and daughter from Hampshire, were making their annual visit to the city. Sarah: Yesterday I did buy some beauty products from a company that had 20% off, after getting a voucher through my email. That was pretty much the only thing, because lately there has been a lot of bad press about companies ramping up their prices beforehand and then dropping them down.
Sandra: If you think about it, nobody is going to be able to give you something for nothing because they would go out of business. It’s not going to work. We’re from Hampshire and we enjoy coming to Cardiff to shop because we love it because of all the boutique-style shops. We love the city. The people are so friendly. But it’s a complete coincidence that we’re here on Black Friday weekend. We didn’t come especially for that reason. Martin Griffiths, 36, and Fiona Austin, 26, from Pembrokeshire, were making a trip to the city as a birthday treat for Fiona.
Martin: Black Friday doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m not interested in it. It’s certainly not the reason we came to Cardiff today. I far prefer to go out to the shops than shop online. We’ve already done our Christmas shopping in the last few weeks, picking up bits in advance of the sales. Awel Roberts, 16, from Ruthin, was in Cardiff with her friends and family for the rugby
This was the first year that I’ve taken part in Black Friday. Top Shop were advertising offers on their Facebook page and I bought a pair of jeans that had 50% off, reduced from £42 to £21. I would never swap shopping in person to shopping online, though. You can try stuff on and have a day out with your mates. Sam King, 34, and Lisa King, 34, from Swindon, came down to the city for a work function and stayed around to have a day out
Sam: I did take advantage of Black Friday for the very first time. I changed my opinion on it. I wasn’t so keen on it last year, with the negative press surrounding it. I thought I’d give it a chance this year and I’ve really enjoyed it. I went to an Outlet store and bought myself a load of new clothes at vastly reduced prices. I got some shoes, two pairs of trousers, two shirts and a jumper. There were some great deals, working out at around 35% savings on the resale price.
Lisa: I was working yesterday, but it’s something that wouldn’t have interested me because it’s so busy and you have to queue up for ages. I would rather space the shopping out and go and get stuff when I need it, rather than when everyone else is doing it. Trish Boyce, 44, from Pembrokeshire, came with friends to see The Full Monty at Wales Millennium Centre and go shopping
It’s not really something that interests me. It’s nice to have the discounts, but I think it’s a bit hyped up, to be honest. Yesterday was bedlam when we got into Cardiff; so many people rushing around. You try and go on websites and they’re crashing because it’s Black Friday. I’m not too comfortable with yet another American thing coming over here. Shopping online is convenient and quick, but it will be a sad state of affairs if shopping online ever replaced shopping in person. You want to be able to have a look at things. You want to be able to have a look at things, hold them, smell them, taste them, try things out – you can’t do that online. Lauren Nottingham, 30, and Hannah Nottingham, 23, from Llanelli, were in Cardiff to shop and enjoy the big match atmosphere
Hannah: Even though it’s Saturday, I did partake in a Black Friday deal today. I got a jumper which was reduced from £50 to £35.
I’ve also heard a lot on the radio that the deals aren’t as good as the retailers are making out and the prices are inflated ahead of Black Friday itself, to make it look as if there is a bigger saving.
Lauren: Black Friday wouldn’t usually interest me, as I’m saving all my money for Christmas – and you can’t beat coming into Cardiff on a match day to sample the atmosphere and enjoy a bit of shopping. Let’s be honest there’s always some sort of sale on somewhere.