Greener Living

Netflix’s ‘Buy Now!’ Shows the Toll of the Global Shopping Bonanza

Director Nic Stacey explores how the rise of online retail has exacerbated overconsumption in his new documentary.

Shoppers carry Macy’s bags outside the flagship store in New York City on Black Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. — Shoppers carry Macy’s bags outside the flagship store in New York City on Black Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg

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By Zahra Hirji

November 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The new hit Netflix documentary Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy may have you reconsidering where to shop and how much to buy on Black Friday — and beyond.

At least, that’s what the documentary’s director Nic Stacey is hoping happens. With a run time of nearly 1.5 hours, the film shines a light on the common, deceptive online marketing techniques used by big-name brands to get consumers to buy more and more goods. That creates mountains of waste and contributes to climate change, plastic pollution and other environmental problems.