With Black Friday, the race for Christmas shopping at reduced prices is on in Cherbourg

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“I ordered online and I'm taking advantage of Black Friday to do my shopping in store with discounts of less than 50%. » Like Cherbourgeoise Jeanne, the Fnac bag filled with livres and of gift packagesmany people were there in the streets and shopping centers of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche) this Saturday November 30, 2024 to do their purchases of Noël.

Kicking off the end of year celebrations

The majority of merchants rely on Black Friday, a promotional operation on the last Friday in November which lasts several days, to attract customers and thus give the kick-off of the end-of-year holidays.

“We did well!” »says delighted Maxime Renouf, head of Micromania in Cherbourg. In its store dedicated to video games in Éléis, discounts started a week ago as part of Black Friday.

“Customers are widely anticipating their Christmas gifts and treating themselves to the offers. »

Having fun in a stressful context

Enjoya reduction of 75 euros on the Playstation 5 where to buy a Nintendo Switch at 319 euros instead of 359 euros still pleases the wallet. This year again, the purchasing power of the French is at half mast. On average the Normans will spend €504 in total for Christmas, either €32 less than in 2023. The average budget in France is estimated at €508. Even if inflation stabilizes, 51% of households in the region feel the holiday season a source of stress financial, according to an Ankorstore investigation.

“Maybe customers are waiting for the paycheck to come in”

Nawfel Drissinew director of the Carrefour store in Éléis for a month, feels it and gives his mixed opinion: “I come from Alsace and I do not perceive the same dynamic in Cherbourg for Christmas. It's the end of the month, maybe customers are waiting for pay to come through. » In its supermarket, for Black Friday, discounts are valid on textiles, toys and small equipment. “At Carrefour, we want all wallets to find the right fit,” explains this director. With his team, he is preparing for December, the peak of annual activity for traders.

“It’s a heavy responsibility, in terms of logistics, ordering, we want to satisfy customers without falling into waste. It’s a challenge that we are ready to take on. »

“We’re making a hit”

These Black Friday operations still seem to give a boost to consumption: “There is traffic in the gallery, we are not unhappy”, underlines the Micromania seller. Same impression for the manager of the Kraft decoration and furniture store. “We feel momentum since Wednesdayas the holidays approach, people come to buy their gifts,” says Elisa Pouchin. Its brand has not focused on Black Friday: “We do not consider the store as a discounter and Black Friday is not in our ethics of sustainable development. We already offer products for all budgets all year round. »

In the city center too, many took advantage of a session shopping yesterday, especially since the The sun was out for dry shopping. Which makes traders smile, like Julie Cauvetmanager of Dressing by Les Bambins: “We’re a hit. Since Thursday, market day, with 30% off the entire store for Black Friday, there are people. People are starting their Christmas shopping. »

For those who haven't started yet, there are just over three weeks until Santa comes. The Black Friday good deals, supposed to last one day, are spread over time and it is still possible to take advantage of them in stores and on the Internet at certain points of sale until Monday. In addition, like every year, Cherbourg merchants will be authorized to open on Sundays December 8, 15 and 22.

Consumer comments

Laurianne Hébert, from Martinvast: “Black Friday doesn't motivate me to do my Christmas shopping, especially since I'm not sure it's that advantageous. It may not be a scam, but I have been comparing prices since the beginning of September, on the Internet, in stores and I have not seen any noticeable difference. Today I came because I had time to do my Christmas shopping. I set a budget per person and I try not to exceed it. It's true that it is reduced a little this year, from 5 to 10 euros per person. With my little sister, we decided not to treat ourselves to anything, we prefer to please the children. That's the magic of Christmas. I take enormous pleasure in buying, giving and imagining the faces people will make. In my family, we stick to the surprise aspect. We try to make lists but we never know what we will really have. For Christmas, we remain children in our heads. »
Laetitia Madec, Équeurdreville: “I try to set a budget and I compare prices in different stores and on the Internet to see what advantages we can have and get a good deal. I looked at the discounts on Amazon for Black Friday, maybe I'll buy some clothes. We have already bought half of the gifts for our 19 month old daughter. We also sometimes buy second-hand toys because the prices go up quickly for new ones. I'm searching on Marketplace, it's still much cheaper than new like this undamaged doll's stroller, which once belonged to another child and which I bought for 10 euros. For our daughter's Christmas, we have set ourselves a budget of 50 – 60 euros maximum, then there will be gifts from the family who is participating. »

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