Well that's one more import from our cousins across the pond that seems to be here to stay.  For those of you who have managed to steer clear of these things I'm talking about BLACK FRIDAY CYBER MONDAY which traditionally falls the weekend immediately after Thanksgiving (yes that's the US Thanksgiving celebration...how long before we feel the need to help them out with that one too...?)

So BFCM consists of a frenzy of very short-term discounting offers by the large retailers to encourage us to get going on our Christmas (yes I said CHRISTMAS not HOLIDAY) shopping asap.

For small, independent retailers like myself it's a bit of a dilemma.  One doesn't want to appear mean or lose out (once again) to the big boys but when it comes to margins and prices the picture is very different for small independents from businesses like, for example, The Body Shop or Lush.

So should I or shouldn't I? Well, personally I made my decision a long time ago as I realised it was very important to me to be able to keep up a personal connection with anyone I had met at a sales event or who had taken the trouble to seek me out on-line AND buy something from me during the course of the year when, let's face it, you need only go a few yards down the road to buy from LUSH...on nearly every perfumed street corner these days. 

I decided several years ago that when it comes to the 'gift giving season' I would like to give a little gift back to the loyal supporters of my small business in the form of a modest discount.  So I have chosen the middle way and do just that...support my supporters (with a little discount a few times a year) and not the general public,  I'd love to have them ALL on board but that would probably put me out of business!

Unfortunately, because I am a little late this year (not quite sure what my excuse is) I seem to have got tangled up with BFCM weekend so my modest 20%, private  offering, to those only on  my mailing list, might get a tad lost in the BFCM jungle.  However, if you would like to take advantage and you aren't on my invite list then just email me at info@englishhandmadesoap.com (see Get In Touch in the footer below) or let me know in a comment on this post and I can get you in...I know the right people!