Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri, together with the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises, launched another edition of Black Friday, which this year will be held on Friday, 26 November. Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri welcomed the Malta Chamber of SMEs initiative for this year, with around 200 businesses putting forward their offers for this year’s edition of Black Friday.
Minister Schembri encouraged businesses to promptly start issuing their offers and reminded how in today’s globalized world, competition is not only local but also international, so it is makes good business sense to make the most of this period. He also encouraged consumers to buy locally.
‘Black Friday is a hugely lucrative day for business, and it is widely recognised that many businesses rely on it to close the year on a positive note. Last year’s edition I believe was crucial. In a short span of time, small and medium-sized businesses had to adapt to the circumstances. We cannot but remember that last year’s circumstances were different, with restrictions on social distancing in place, resulting in very limited physical activity in shops. But here the resilience of our businesses came to the fore because it was during this period that most of them launched their digital platforms from which they could sell their products. And it must be said that last year’s Black Friday exceeded expectations. I therefore call on businesses to make further use of digital platforms for this year and to better understand the opportunities that this field offers—from effective advertising to efficient and comfortable customer service. In this way we will be active participants in supporting the economy of our country’, said Minister Schembri.
Minister Schembri remarked that Black Friday is an opportunity to continue at the pace we have embarked upon in view of the success of the €100 vouchers which their use ended by the end of October, as well as an opportunity to support our country’s economy, which propitiously is showing signs of a strong economic recovery with an economic forecast of 6.5.% for next year.
Paul Abela, President of Malta Chamber of SMEs, said that Black Friday has become one of the most important days for business. It has brought to life the month of November for businesses and consumers alike. ‘The Chamber of SMEs encourages local consumers to make the most out of the black Friday offers and shop local. By shopping local, consumers spend less on delivery expenses and timeframes and find it very easy to exchange products. Avoiding the necessary delays involved when shopping from abroad. Let us support our local businesses, because they employ our own family and friends’ said Abela.
The Chief Executive Officer for the Malta Chamber of SMEs Abigail Agius Mamo said that The Malta Chamber of SMEs is once again brining the Black Friday offers from members in a one-stop-shop information point. Keeping tabs on all that is going on is not easy and requires planning to make the most of it. In this way consumers know which businesses are carrying the Black Friday offers, what are the offers and how they can get access to them. Consumers are guided according to the products they are looking for and which locality they want to visit. In view of Covid and to also increase customer convenience, details in relation to opening hours, offers available online and delivery service are also included. The offers are updated on the Malta Chamber of SMEs’ facebook page on a regular basis.