The French government is warning people against Black Friday deals
The French government has launched a campaign encouraging people not to buy new clothes in Black Friday sales.
The ad shows a man asking for advice in a store before an assistant tells him not to buy anything, to help the planet and his finances.
The Minister for Ecological Transition – responsible for promoting sustainability – Christophe Béchu, is behind the campaign.
But the message has been criticized by other government departments.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called it “ill-conceived” and said it would harm “honest businesses”.
Le Maire’s department is trying to tackle rising unemployment and a cost-of-living crisis – and seasonal sales are thought to put more money back into the economy.
Black Friday, when retailers offer significant discounts and promotions, is one of the biggest shopping days of the year in many European countries.
Béchu admitted that the message may have targeted the wrong businesses, he told France Inter: “We should have targeted online sales platforms and not physical businesses with the same message.”
But he said the ads would not be withdrawn.
Since October the government has subsidized clothing and shoe repairs, giving people between €6 (£5) and €25 (£21) of the cost. The government has pledged to contribute €154 million to the repair bonus fund over the next five years.
Bérangere Couillard, the new environment minister, said the government was committed to tackling fast fashion.
More criticism came from the Trade Alliance, the Union of Textile Industries and the French Union of the Fashion and Clothing Industries, which issued a joint statement.
“We demand its immediate withdrawal, failing which we will consider legal actions for commercial defamation.
“We ask ADEME [French Environment and Energy Management Agency] and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territories to immediately remove this video and work together to develop positive communication on the transformation of the fashion and trade sector.”