Yes, the great Steely Dan. Love 'em. So now New Zealand retailers are picking up on another USA created retail invention - Black Friday.
I could have also chosen another Steely Dan song - The Royal Scam.
'Black Friday' - a scam created by accountants in the world of diminishing returns.
In the retail no man's land of the end of November to late December when savvy shoppers wait until the Christmas sales the accountants have panicked and found another way to stimulate sales (and depress profits). They lurch from one hectic trading period to another with increasing frequency. Gone are the days of the once a year big clearance sale (once known as Boxing Day sales). The marketers are on the hunt for themes that the unwary consumer can be seduced into. Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, New Year, Winter, Summer, Spring, Anzac Day etc. etc. have all been used and abused to death. Now we have to get yet another bloody American invention - Black Friday sales.
Jesus wept.
I saw the sad sight of people queueing at the credit counter, opening accounts and yet further committing themselves to months and months of payments at accumulating interest to buy items that before they've been paid for have either become obsolete of have broken down. Tragic.
Oh, by the way, I bought a new microwave for the apartment.
Panasonic, normally $250 - Black Friday price $135.
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