While retailers such as REI plan to completely shut down again on Black Friday, encouraging their employees and customers to #OptOutside instead, Patagonia is taking a different approach. Understanding that Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year whether we like it or not, the company decided to use that as a force for good in what can be considered turbulent times ahead for our planet. Patagonia CEO, Rose Marcario, announced that 100% of global sales, both online and in stores, will be donated to various environmental organizations.
So when you purchase a down sweater for your dad, Patagonia will donate all that money to grassroots organizations working in local communities to protect our air, water, and soil for future generations. These are small groups, often underfunded and under the radar, who work on the front lines. Patagonia, along with many other companies, believes support is more important now than ever.
Patagonia will also provide information in stores and on the website about how to get in touch with these groups and be active in your own communities—on Black Friday and every day.
Patagonia already gives away 1% of sales annually as part of the 1% for the Planet campaign. To date that amount totals $74 million. But during this difficult and divisive time, the company felt it was important to go further and connect more of their customers, who love wild places, with those who are fighting tirelessly to protect them.
By getting active in communities, Patagonia hopes that together we can effect local change to protect the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the treasured places we love the most. And t0gether we can impact global priorities, too, by raising our voices to defend policies and regulations that will reduce carbon emissions, build a modern energy economy based on investment in renewables and, most crucially, ensure the United States remains fully committed to the vital goals set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Patagonia plans to keep fighting to protect the planet — 100% on Black Friday, 1% every day. Estimates are that Black Friday sales could amount to roughly $2 million — and that’s just one day. So if you want to stock up on presents this Friday knowing you will do some good in the process, head on over to Patagonia.
UPDATE: Patagonia says they did $10 million in sales on Black Friday — way over their projected figure. That’s amazing!