By Sharan Virk Christmas is finally upon us and in four weeks, let’s just sadly recognise, it will all be over. The turkey will have been roasted, the chips munched, and the bins well and truly stuffed. Yet the wonderful time that one probably finds most exciting is the lead up to the big day. And one things that involves, is shopping. Lots and lots of shopping. One could describe it almost apocalyptic. The only thing that can make us sign in relief is that the people of Kent do not yet have it as worst as the United States of America.

Only a couple of days ago we experienced ‘Black Friday’. For those who do not know about this event it’s named according to the financial term of making profit, “in the black”. It was only this year England really took advantage of this phenomenon and for the public of Gravesend and surrounding towns the placed to hit was Bluewater Shopping Centre. There were discounts on at stores such as John Lewis, HMV, Miss Selfridge and many others. Even Gravened Town Centre took advantage of the occasion and extended opening times for places such as Debenhams. It was safe to say that the credit cards had received some loving on this fine ordeal.

Yet that does not make me regret the very few purchases I made. In fact a friend down right laughed at the lack of bags I clutched in my hands not believing my decision to not really go looking for ‘bargains’. There may have been some impressive deals that I missed yet I cannot bring myself to go mad on a day which is nationally know for watching people blow their money. Bluewater was full of people taking bags back to their car as they literally could not physically hold anymore- and going back for more! Coming from someone who is labelled a shopaholic, this is quite something. Yet iIs a sale really a sale when the product in mind only has £12 off? Or am I demanding too much of the one day which is known for its huge discounted goods? Frankly it is quite obvious that the gifts people will be buying will most likely be for Christmas so retailers want stock to shift- after all it is also a huge day for takings. If demand is high, then prices can also be high. But once it’s over the customers no longer need to buy the £850 thing that does this that and that. So retailers will do all they can to make sure everything sells. Again, I am not bashing the idea, I love shopping. But please don’t tell me ten per cent off a £450 bag is a bargain.

Sharan Virk, Gravesend Grammar School