Remember the days when Black Friday sales actually started on Friday? Wal-Mart says something to the effect of, “But we’ve opened sales earlier so that people don’t have to shop on Thanksgiving”.
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H&M recently announced all of their stores will be closed. They’re giving their employees the day off. Colorado’s Retail Council says a few of the state’s retailers are backing off from opening on the Thanksgiving holiday, while others are reducing the hours they’re open. But a new survey from NJ.com suggests that there are still a lot of traditionalists out there who would rather see retail stores closed on Thanksgiving Day.
The Black Friday has a list of national stores that will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Think Progress also said that a K-Mart “spokesperson said in an email this is not consistent with store protocol, which is to post all schedules, including for holidays, two weeks in advance and to limit any changes”.
Last year, Black Friday weekend sales dropped 11% and shopper traffic was down 5.2%, evidence that promotions on Thanksgiving cannibalize sales later in the weekend.
Say what you will about the origin of Thanksgiving, every year sentiments about self-entitled pilgrims seem to grow and distaste for the holiday abounds. (And outdoor retailer REI, which just opened a store in West Des Moines, pulled off a PR coup by closing its doors on Black Friday and calling on people to enjoy the world’s wonders that lie beyond the malls.) But don’t be fooled: Despite the popular outcry over Thanksgiving Day store openings, more than enough shoppers showed up past year to keep the trend going.
As retailers have pushed Black Friday door-buster deals earlier each year, a small but growing number of companies has gone in the other direction.
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The holiday spending season does not begin in the week ahead.
