Black Friday and open data: Driving smarter shopping decisions
Empowering consumers and businesses with insights for better decisions
This week marks Black Friday, one of the most anticipated shopping events worldwide. Across Europe, millions of consumers are preparing to hunt for deals online and in stores, while retailers gear up for a surge in demand. But beyond the discounts and flash sales, there is an opportunity to make shopping smarter and more sustainable through the power of open data.
Open data can provide valuable insights into pricing trends, consumer demand, and supply chain efficiency. By analysing datasets on retail performance, energy consumption, and logistics, businesses can optimise operations while reducing environmental impact. For consumers, access to transparent pricing data can help compare offers, avoid misleading discounts, and make informed purchasing decisions. Public authorities can also leverage open data to monitor market fairness and ensure compliance with consumer protection regulations.
Beyond the deals, open data helps tackle bigger challenges. By combining datasets on transport emissions, packaging waste, and energy use, policymakers can assess the environmental impact of Black Friday and design strategies for greener retail. Researchers can explore patterns in consumer behaviour to inform future regulations and promote sustainable consumption.
Explore the European Data Portal to gain insights into thousands of datasets that can help you understand pricing trends, sustainability impacts, and consumer behaviour during Black Friday.
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