Let's celebrate the people behind Black Friday

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year with us Brits looking to spend an estimated ￡4.8 billion across the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend.

While for many the term Black Friday is an opportunity to tick items off your Christmas list with only a month until the big day – and bag some bargains along the way – for many it is the culmination of weeks or even months of dedication, commitment and hard work. For me Black Friday is always a time for reflection and total appreciation for all those involved in delivering this global event. At this time each year at Gi Group UK, we see our workforce of around 10,000 trebles to over 30,000 as the build up to Christmas starts in earnest in order to meet the increase in consumer demand.

This year, Black Friday will be even more challenging for all of the individuals we rely on to deliver it as we navigate the labour shortages prevalent across all sectors, added challenges in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as supply chain issues as a knock-on effect of Brexit.

Yet the people who make this event happen often go unrecognised – simply working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure we all have the happy Christmas we hope for all year. It feels only right to therefore turn the spotlight on these people, not simply those working for Gi Group in the UK, but everyone involved in Black Friday, as I personally know the amount of hard work and dedication that they have shown over the course of the year.

On a personal note, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone involved in Black Friday. From all of our candidates fulfilling orders in warehouses, ensuring shelves are stocked and gifts are delivered to recipients and to our own Gi Group employees who have spent many months working with clients to fill roles for their busiest time of year – you are all vital to ensuring Black Friday is a success. You play such an important role in our economy and, more importantly, in making the festive season for so many.