Black Friday turns bleak as raging COVID-19 blunts European countries' efforts to revive consumption
China DailyA street cleaner walks past a Topshop store in Liverpool, Britain, on Nov 27, 2020. LONDON -- As COVID-19 continues to ravage countries across Europe, concerns over infections and economic insecurity have largely dampened consumers' enthusiasm for Black Friday, dashing hopes of some European countries to revitalize the pandemic-laden economy with the traditional shopping spree. With roads flooded by crowds and stores crammed with consumers, Black Friday is traditionally one of the most-anticipated shopping days of the year in most European countries, typically drawing millions of consumers out to brick-and-mortar shops. But this year, amid the raging pandemic, the usually dazzling Black Friday seems rather bleak across Europe. Regarding Black Friday as a chance to offset the losses caused by the pandemic, many shop owners have been asking to ease lockdowns during the Nov 27-29 Black Friday weekend.