A Small Business Black Friday Guide For Profitable Promotions

Welcome to your 2025 small business Black Friday guide for profitable promotions – without slashing prices. As Black Friday is fast approaching on Friday 28th November 2025.

Black Friday 2025 is no longer just a day. It’s become a month-long sales marathon. And as a small business owner, that can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and frankly, out of alignment with your values.

The first Black Friday email landed in my inbox on October 24th, over a week before Halloween had even started. Sound familiar?

Whether you love or loathe this season, the truth is: Black Friday sales hit a record high in 2024, with UK consumers spending over £9.4 billion during the Black Friday weekend alone. And despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, consumer spending is still going strong – particularly when there’s perceived value or urgency behind a purchase.

So… what does this mean for small product-based businesses like yours?

Black Friday Isn’t One Size Fits All

Most independent brands feel a bit conflicted about Black Friday, and understandably so.

Yes, it’s an opportunity to boost sales and clear old stock…
But it can also eat into your margins, ramp up pressure and pull you away from your business values.

The good news? You don’t have to discount your products to participate.

You have to get involved in a way that works for YOUR BUSINESS!

Whether you decide to opt out, join in, or find your own path, the key is to plan ahead and communicate early and clearly with your customers with your own small business Black Friday guide.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Even if your plans change (and they likely will!), having a clear direction helps you:

• Avoid last-minute panic
• Align your messaging with your values
• Map out product launches with breathing space
• Reduce customer confusion by staying consistent

When you’re vague or silent about Black Friday, your customers may hold off on buying – waiting to see if a discount is coming.

But when you set expectations and share your plan in advance, you build trust — and encourage sales on your terms.

Black Friday Feelings

Here’s how many small businesses feel about Black Friday:

• “It was never meant for us.”
• “The pressure is exhausting.”
• “Deep discounts just aren’t possible.”

And yet…

• Customers now expect something during this time, and if you go completely quiet, you risk missing out.
• That’s why having an alternative strategy can help you stay visible, boost sales, and protect your profit margins, all while staying true to your values.

Small Business Black Friday Guide That Aren’t just discounting

Here are 8 alternative ways to take part in Black Friday without compromising your values or giving all your profit away:

1. Donate to charity with every order
   Support a cause close to your heart and let your customers shop with purpose.
2. Free or express shipping
   A small offer with a big perceived value, especially during gifting season.
3. Bundle or collaborate with other indie brands
   Create a limited-edition bundle or co-branded product with another small business.
4. Tiered offer (e.g. £10 off £50+)
   Encourages bigger basket sizes while protecting your margins.
5. Free gift with every order
   Add value with something small but thoughtful, it makes your customer feel special.
6. Be transparent about not taking part
   If you’re opting out, say so early and explain why. (Trust-building is gold.)
7. Take part in alternative campaigns
   Such as Colour Friday, Small Business Saturday, or Just a Card Indie Week. These movements support ethical shopping and small brands.
8. Offer early access or daily deals to subscribers
   Reward your loyal email list with early access or exclusive mini-offers.

What is Colour Friday?

Created by Holly Tucker, founder of notonthehighstreet.com and now Holly & Co. Colour Friday is a joyful alternative to Black Friday that champions independent shopping.

It encourages customers to shop small, support creativity, and vote with their money. Not just for the cheapest deal, but for real human connection.

If that sounds more like your vibe? Mark your calendar for Friday 28 November 2025, and get creative with how you show up that day.

Planning Your Q4 Promotions

Whether you’re participating in Black Friday, Colour Friday, or carving your own path, the most important thing is this: have a plan.

Start now by:

• Reviewing last year’s sales patterns
• Creating a simple Christmas marketing plan
• Mapping your content (email, social, fairs, launches)
• Deciding your approach to Black Friday and communicating it clearly

Creating your marketing content in advance means you can focus on selling, delivery and providing a great customer experience once things ramp up.

You don’t need to “go big” to get results.

A thoughtful, well-communicated Black Friday plan will always outperform a rushed, last-minute discount.

• You’ve got options.
• You’ve got time.
• And your business deserves a strategy that’s profitable and values-driven.

Whether you go all in, opt out, or stand out – just make sure your customers know what to expect.

And if you need help creating your Q4 plan, marketing content or product strategy, you know where I am.

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Want help creating your Black Friday or Christmas marketing plan?

Let’s map it out together inside a Retail Strategy Session. Perfect for product-based businesses who want real results this Q4.

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