The last Saturday in November is a retailer's wet dream, often taking the prize for Busiest Shopping Day of the Year. But this year, UK shopkeepers will be up against a counter-movement, one that encourages us all to leave our wallets at home. Enough is enough' is the most commonly used phrase. It's a worldwide stand against overconsumption in the western nations. A mere 20 per cent of the earth's population uses over 80 per cent of its natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage.
Many people are sick of the way our culture has become so consumerist.
We used to shop to buy necessities, but now we also shop to cheer ourselves up, to impress our friends, to 'find something that is missing from our lives', and also because some of us just can't stop. An estimated 700,000 British people are addicted to shopping. Another aim is to make people think more about the effects of what they buy. Several big businesses have recently been accused of moving their manufacturing overseas, using sweatshops and child labour to save money on operating costs and wages. If you are interested, the simplest thing you can do is to avoid buying anything on Saturday November 25.