Why #ColourFriday matters and how you can get involved
What started as a single day of discounts in the United States has grown into a global retail phenomenon, often stretching into more than a full week of flash sales, countdown codes and pressure to buy, buy, buy.
Black Friday
Black Friday earned its name in the 1960s, when American retailers used the term to describe the moment their accounts moved from “red” to “black”; a surge in spending that pushed them into profit before Christmas. As online shopping expanded, the trend travelled, and by the mid-2010s, Black Friday had become a cultural fixture in the UK too.
But its rise hasn’t been without criticism. Many shoppers report impulse buying, regret, and feeling overwhelmed by relentless sales messaging, personally just clearing my inbox of all the ‘special offers’ is almost a full-time job!
At the same time, small independent businesses — unable to slash prices in the way large retailers can — often find themselves overshadowed during one of the year’s most crucial trading periods. That’s where #ColourFriday steps in.
Colour Friday
The #ColourFriday campaign was created by Holly Tucker MBE, founder of Not On The High Street and Holly & Co, as a kinder, more meaningful alternative to Black Friday.
Launched as a rallying cry to champion independents, #ColourFriday encourages people to shop small, buy consciously and celebrate creativity instead of succumbing to the noise of mass-market deals. Holly’s vision is simple but powerful: to paint the high street in colour — the colour of community, craftsmanship and human connection. Instead of rushing for discounts you may not need, #ColourFriday invites you to support the artists, bakers, makers, designers and tiny-but-mighty businesses that bring joy and originality to our everyday lives.
Get Involved
This year, Girl About Travel Magazine HQ is proudly joining that movement. Our platform has always been about storytelling, community and shining a light on the people and places that make our towns, cities and regions special. So, in the run-up to Black Friday, we’re dedicating a full week on Instagram to celebrating brilliant local businesses and we’d love you to get involved.
We’re asking our community to share and tag their favourites across a series of daily themes. Whether you’re shouting out a tiny independent shop you adore, a restaurant that never misses, or a hidden gem other people should know about, your posts genuinely help small businesses thrive at a time when visibility matters most.
Here’s how the week will look:
Friday 21 November — Favourite local Instagram accounts
Who inspires you? Who brightens your feed? Tag the local voices worth following.
Saturday 22 November — Favourite date night restaurants
From candlelit bistros to noisy, joyful tapas spots. Celebrate the places that make a night out special.
Sunday 23 November — Hidden gem days out
Think countryside walks, quirky museums, independent cinemas, unexpected beauty spots & the places only locals know.
Monday 24 November — Favourite independent coffee shops/cafés
Those cosy corners fuelled by great brews, friendly owners and slices of cake you dream about.
Tuesday 25 November — Beautiful bakeries
Sourdough, pastries, sweet treats. Tag the creators behind your carb-filled happiness.
Wednesday 26 November — Foodie gems near me
Street food, deli counters, family-run favourites, all the flavours that make your area unique.
Thursday 27 November — Where I unwind
From yoga studios to indie bookshops, beauty salons to peaceful parks: where do you go to reset?
Friday 28 November — Independent shops & boutiques
The heart of any high street, the makers, gift shops, stylists and sellers of beautiful things.
Take part by following and tagging @girlabout.travel and using #ColourFriday. Each tag helps amplify a small business, shining a little light at a time of year when it matters most.
Black Friday may dominate the headlines, but together, we can fill the week with colour, community and connection, supporting the independents who make our regions special. Let’s make this November about meaning, not madness.
By Sally Bendall
Image credits – dreamstime
