Black Friday Without The Blindfold

Your inbox is shouting “40% off,” but your gut says something’s off. We dig into the Black Friday spectacle and show how urgency, scarcity, and anchoring combine to sell ordinary prices as once-a-year steals. With clear stories from the front lines of retail and supply chain, we explain why the biggest winners are often the stores clearing old stock before Christmas—not the shoppers chasing countdown timers. We break down the psychology that powers the hype: FOMO from limited-time offers, inflated “was” prices that anchor your expectations, and the social pressure that turns scrolling into spending. Then we zoom out to the operations layer—how seasonal surges stress logistics, why stockouts and delays happen, and how discount culture jars with sustainability goals by driving overconsumption and higher returns. It’s retail theatre with a backstage pass. Most importantly, we arm you with a pro buyer’s playbook. Set a benchmark price before you click. Use price history tools like CamelCamelCamel, Keepa, and PriceSpy to verify real lows. Compare across retailers to expose faux exclusives. Time your purchases using seasonal cycles—electronics often drop further in January, while fashion and home goods lean cheaper in end-of-season sales. Ignore inflated “was” tags, read reviews for durability and energy efficiency, and don’t get trapped by bundles or add-on warranties that bloat your cart without adding value. If you crave the lowest total cost of ownership, data beats drama. Listen now, take the checklist into your next deal hunt, and keep your wallet in charge. If you found this useful, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves a “deal,” and leave a quick review to help others shop smarter. Send us a text Support the show THANKS FOR LISTENING PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW You can support the podcast by following the link here. It makes a big difference and helps us make great content for you to listen to. Follow like and share the Chain Reaction Podcast with colleagues and friends on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. News about forthcoming programmes click here SHARE Please share the link with others so they can listen too https://chainreaction.buzzsprout.com/share LET US KNOW If you have any comments, suggestions or questions then just direct message on Linkedin or X (Twitter) REVIEW AND RATE If you like the show please rate and review it. Every vote helps. About Tony Hines and the Chain Reaction Podcast – All About Supply Chain Advantage I have been researching and writing about supply chains for over 25 years. I wrote my first book on supply chain strategies in the early 2000s. The latest edition is published in 2024 available from Routledge, Amazon and all good book stores. Each week we have special episodes on particular topics relating to supply chains. We have a weekly news round up every Saturday at 12 noon...