What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is a major retail event that occurs the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. This concept has gradually spread to other countries, becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It is known for significant sales, discounts, and special promotions offered by retailers both in physical stores and online. These deals often include deep price cuts.
The term "Black Friday" originated in the 1960s in Philadelphia, where it was used by police to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. Over time, the term evolved to reflect the period when retailers would move from being "in the red" (operating at a loss) to "in the black" (earning a profit). (1)
Black Friday is characterized by a surge in consumer spending and shopping, with many people lining up outside stores early in the morning or even the night before to take advantage of doorbuster deals and limited-time offers. In recent years, online shopping has become increasingly popular on Black Friday, with many retailers offering exclusive online deals.
This trend has been accelerated by the growth of e-commerce platforms and the convenience of shopping from home.
Overall, Black Friday is a consumeristic concept that encourages people to buy a lot of items they often don’t need, promoting overconsumption. This vision doesn’t really align with Georganics' values on the subject.
What is Green Friday?
At Georganics, we choose not to participate in a traditional Black Friday to avoid promoting overconsumption, which conflicts with our values, even if everyone needs toothpaste. Instead, we host ‘Green Friday’ to support a meaningful day and those in need, in collaboration with Dentaid.
Unfortunately, a significant number of individuals in the UK lack access to dental healthcare. This issue can be attributed to various factors, including homelessness, vulnerability, or simply long NHS wait times for dental care. This problem affects more people than one might think. In fact, 40% of kids in the UK don’t receive regular check-ups or dental care, and 35% of adults say they can’t afford to go to the dentist. This is where Dentaid, The Dental Charity, comes in.
What is Dentaid the dental charity?
Dental Aid is a charitable organization dedicated to providing dental care and oral health education to underserved and vulnerable populations. Its mission is to improve overall health by addressing oral health disparities. They act on a few key aspects.
In the first place, Dental Aid offers free or low-cost dental services to individuals who lack access to regular dental care, often targeting low-income communities, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
Secondly, the charity emphasizes the importance of preventive care through educational programs that teach proper oral hygiene practices, the impact of diet on oral health, and the importance of regular dental check-ups.
Next, Dental Aid often relies on a network of volunteer dentists, dental hygienists, and other healthcare professionals who donate their time and expertise to provide care and conduct educational sessions.
Lastly, the organization conducts outreach programs in schools, community centers, and other local venues to reach as many people as possible, often partnering with other healthcare providers and community organizations. Some branches of Dental Aid also engage in international missions, providing dental care and education in underserved regions around the world.
We firmly believe that everyone should have the right to self-care and this includes having access to dental care. Regular maintenance of oral care is essential for overall health and well-being. Read our blog on holistic oral care to know more about this. For the occasion, we offered a 15% discount on our entire eco-friendly oral care products, and we gifted 15% of our profits to Dentaid in the form of dental products.
What was the outcome of Green Friday?
Thanks to your participation, we were able to donate over 550 toothbrushes and dental products to Dentaid. Thank you all for your contribution to Green Friday!
Green Friday with Dentaid exemplifies how we, as businesses, can align our values with meaningful action, transforming a day traditionally associated with consumerism into an opportunity for positive change. By choosing to boycott Black Friday and instead focus on supporting those in need, we can redefine this day and make a significant, positive impact.
As we move forward, let’s continue to prioritize mindful consumption and support initiatives that promote overall well-being. Together, we can make a difference, one Green Friday at a time. Thank you for being part of this journey and for contributing to a healthier, more equitable world.