Let’s get real about Black Friday deals — America’s biggest sale day isn’t helping American makers. The ones profiting most are sitting thousands of miles away in China, India, and Vietnam, while U.S. craftspeople are pressured to slash margins they barely have.
As the founder of My American Goods, I see it up close: when consumers chase 70 %-off doorbusters, the system quietly rewards overseas manufacturing, not domestic craftsmanship.
1. Half of Amazon sellers are Chinese — not American
Here’s a stunning data point: 52 % of Amazon’s top sellers are based in China, while only about 47 % operate from the United States (Marketing 4 Ecommerce). That means when Americans think they’re supporting “U.S. retail” during Black Friday deals, much of that money heads straight to Asia.
Amazon’s model doesn’t require products to be American-made — just listed on a U.S. platform. And during the Black Friday rush, low-cost overseas sellers dominate the Buy Box because they can afford massive markdowns. American makers? Not so much.
2. It’s up to 60 % cheaper to manufacture abroad
According to research from Thundersaid Energy, manufacturing in China can be 50-60 % cheaper than in the U.S. once you factor in labour, materials, and energy. (Thundersaid Energy)
That’s why big brands and private labels can afford deep Black Friday deals — they’re built on cheap inputs and offshore labour. U.S. makers can’t slash like that because their production costs already hover near the retail price of imported goods.
So when you see a “70 % OFF Black Friday deal,” ask yourself: how is that even possible? The answer isn’t efficiency — it’s geography.
3. Black Friday is now global — and Asia is capitalizing
What started as a U.S. shopping tradition is now a global event in over 120 countries. Retailers in India and Vietnam reported massive sales growth in 2024, with Indian D2C platforms seeing a four-times increase in orders compared to 2022 (globalEDGE).
That means the global manufacturing hubs aren’t just producing for American retailers — they’re now running their own Black Friday deals for their domestic markets. While U.S. makers fight for visibility, factories in Asia are selling directly to American consumers via Amazon and TikTok Shop.
4. American makers can’t play the discount game
Let’s be blunt: you can’t make a handcrafted ceramic mug in Ohio or a leather wallet in Montana and still offer 60 % off without taking a loss.
At My American Goods, our Not on Amazon Collection, American Pottery, and American-Made Apparel feature artisans who pay fair wages, source locally, and produce small-batch quality goods. That’s precisely why they can’t — and shouldn’t — compete with global mass-manufacturing on price.
The “discount treadmill” built by major platforms devalues American craftsmanship. Every time we anchor value to markdowns, we’re reinforcing the idea that cheap equals good.
5. The real cost of cheap Black Friday deals
Consumers love to brag about snagging incredible Black Friday deals, but here’s the cost we don’t see:
- Jobs lost in American manufacturing sectors that can’t compete with offshore pricing.
- Sustainability compromised by global shipping and low-quality goods designed for disposability.
- Craftsmanship forgotten, replaced by fast, factory-line sameness.
A Business Insider report reminds us that reshoring production will inevitably make goods more expensive — because American labour, quality standards, and compliance actually cost what they’re worth. (Business Insider)
A new kind of Black Friday deal
Maybe the future of Black Friday deals isn’t about lowest prices — but fairest prices. When you buy from My American Goods, you’re voting for local jobs, small-batch production, and true American artistry.
So this year, skip the offshore doorbusters and make your own kind of statement: buy American-made. Pay what it’s worth. Keep your dollars in communities that make, not just market.
Because while others chase “cheap,” we’re chasing change.
— Linda Rosenthal, Founder, My American Goods
