Black Friday trends in Poland 2024: What are we really buying into?

When is Black Friday in 2024?

This year, Black Friday lands on November 29, and its inevitable sequel in the form of Cyber Monday follows on December 2.

The mutating monstrosity of Black Friday(s)

Black Friday has come a long way from its origins as a single-day shopping event.

In Poland, it’s morphed into a sprawling saga: from Black Week to Black Weekend, and who knows – maybe by 2025, we’ll be in the era of “Black Month”. Which, come to think of it, many a retailer would greatly appreciate, as it would allow them to neatly circumvent the ominously sounding Omnibus Directive.

Retailers are capitalizing on this extended hype, rolling out deals earlier and earlier each year. But shoppers are catching on to the tricks, and more and more of us start to wonder: are the markdowns worth the mania?

To discover what Polish people tend to think about this subject, in November 2024 Provident surveyed 1002 adult Poles. And here is what they had to say about this discount-driven extravaganza.

Spoiler alert: they’re skeptical, strategic, and maybe a little self-indulgent – but, then again, aren't we all?

A love-hate relationship. Do Poles actually like Black Friday?

Truth be told, there is no easy way to answer this question. The closest thing that comes to mind would be: it’s something of a love-hate situationship.

According to the Provident Barometer, 46.4% of respondents see Black Friday as an opportunity to snag Christmas gifts at a discount price. So, that is the positive aspect, and one might think that Poles universally adore Black Fridays, case closed.

But, no so fast! There’s the catch – only 30% believe the prices are genuinely lower compared to the rest of the year.

Interestingly, it's the youngest crowd, those aged 18-24, who seem the most enchanted by the sales charm. A solid 36.3% of them think November discounts are worth the hype. Ah, youth –when hope (and hopefully – a hefty student discount) springs eternal.

Two “S” of the budget battle: Spending vs. Self-control

Let’s be real – those glittering “70% off” tags make it all too easy to stretch your budget – or outright break it. But surprisingly, many shoppers in Poland show impressive restraint:

• 26.9% rarely exceed their set budgets,
• 17.6% never go overboard,
• Meanwhile, about 22.1% admit they sometimes overspend, and a daring 9.3% say it happens often.

As for the rest? Well, 21.9% simply don't bother setting one. Maybe they’ve adopted the YOLO philosophy for Black Friday: “Why make a plan when buying stuff is just so fun?”

The three “R” of buyer’s remorse: Regrets, Returns, and Realizations

Impulse buys and buyer’s remorse are a prominent part of Black Friday.

About 1 in 5 Poles admit they sometimes regret their purchases, while 5% say it happens often or every single time. Yes, we’re looking at you, the third pair of black boots that have never seen the light of day – or you: mysterious air-fryer, once-used-and-since-forgotten.

Despite the occasional regret, Poles are surprisingly chill about returns. A whopping 41.8% never return their Black Friday buys, while 19.6% rarely bother to do so. Seems like once it’s in the cart, it’s in the house for good – for better and for worse.

The credit/debit of Black Friday

Black Friday in Poland is an adventure. It has its heights, but it certainly has its lows as well.

Whether you’re in it for the Christmas gift deals or the thrill of the chase, remember: the smartest shoppers are the ones who get what they actually need at a price that makes sense.

So, will 2024 be the year of triumphant bargains or regrettable splurges? One thing’s for sure – Poles are navigating this retail frenzy with a healthy mix of enthusiasm and skepticism.

As is stands, we offer simple sage advice: “Add to cart – once, but always think twice.”

Sources:

Barometr Providenta, “30 proc. Polaków uważa, że ceny w Black Friday są dużo niższe od tych w ciągu roku”