Black Friday deals replaced with charity donation at Leeds independent gift shop

The owner of an independent gift shop in Leeds is donating money to charity instead of offering deals to customers this Black Friday.
Jo McBeath, owner of Chirpy gift shop in Chapel Allerton, LeedsJo McBeath, owner of Chirpy gift shop in Chapel Allerton, Leeds
Jo McBeath, owner of Chirpy gift shop in Chapel Allerton, Leeds

Chirpy in Chapel Allerton will see 10 per cent of profits made from sales on Black Friday donated to charity.

The owner will make the donation to Breast Cancer Haven instead of offering discounts on prices that are ‘already the best possible’ ones that she can offer.

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The gift shop and workshop space based on Harrogate Road was forced to close during the second national lockdown and customers are being encouraged to shop online.

Owner, Jo McBeath, said: “I haven’t had the shop open so I haven’t made the amount of sales I normally would have so it’s ridiculous to discount prices now.

“I can’t buy in bulk and I don’t want customers to be waiting all year round for a day of discounts.

“Instead as a thank you I’d rather donate the money to a charity which is very close to my heart.”

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Jo said she does not think her loyal customers actually expected any discounts due to the turbulent year for independent businesses.

She added: “I’d rather do little things to incentivise people to shop, and not just to shop today.

“I’ve resigned myself to the fact that big retailers will do discounts but I think Black Friday encourages people to buy stuff they don’t need and it’s not a bargain if you don’t need it.”

Jo launched the Chirpy website during the first national lockdown and says it has been a success, not just with loyal customers but also those further afield.

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Jo said: “One customer today ordered from America for their friend in the UK.

“I’m offering click and collect, first class delivery and same day delivery if local and I do think customers are realising the importance at the moment of shopping local.”

Chirpy will open for customers next week on December 2 as the national lockdown is lifted and ‘non-essential’ businesses are allowed to re-open.

Jo added: “I’ll be working late nights, Sundays, every hour every day from now until Christmas, working even harder than normal to do things differently rather than have big sales.

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“To be honest, even if I hadn’t have been closed for most of the year I don’t think I would have done a sale anyway.

“Black Friday is for the people who want to save £100 on a fridge-freezer, not to save two pounds on some earrings.”

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