You may have heard the news already, but one company is pulling back from the Black Friday frenzy and, instead, closing their doors so that their employees can spend the holiday with their families. This year, REI announced they would forgo one of their top 10 sales days of the year and promote their values: get outside and spend some time with the ones you love.
The company CEO announced to store managers that they would be closing doors this year AND paying their employees for the day. Long time retail employees teared up–and honestly, I see why. This is a huge deal for a company to care more about people and their values than the bottom line.
I don’t personally do the Black Friday thing. I would rather sit in my pajamas, watch movies and eat cold turkey sandwiches. Plus, I am more of an online, Cyber Monday kind of gal. Everyone is back to work on Monday, and I would just prefer to shop online rather than deal with the crowds. That being said, I know plenty of people who like to get a coffee and casually stroll through the mall on Black Friday with family or friends–without turning it into a crazy free-for-all. It’s this stuff I am trying to avoid:
Over the past couple of years, several retailers have seen such high sales numbers, their Black Friday sales have started to leak into Thanksgiving. First, stores opening at midnight, and then as early as 7 p.m. Big retailers like Kohls, Macy’s, JC Penney, Target {the list goes on} will all open their doors sometime Thanksgiving day, or right at midnight on Black Friday.
I don’t know about you, but I personally just gained a new appreciation for REI. I always check out their online deal of the day…and next time I am waffling between them and another store, I might be more inclined to lean toward them.
How about YOU, do like the direction REI is going? Will YOU be getting outside and enjoying some family time this Black Friday, instead of hitting the stores?
~Mavis
Deborah says
I don’t do Black Friday sales. Too much rudeness and pushing and shoving. I dislike rude people and that time of year it all comes out.
Ann GG says
This is awesome. I like REI and am so glad to see they are taking good care of their employees. I personally stay far away from all the Black Friday craziness. It’s not worth it. I don’t like the rude people. I prefer to spend the day with the family being lazy and watching movies 🙂
Pauline says
I don’t do Black Friday either. No way, no how. And so I am emphatically applauding REI’s stand on this. Kudos, REI! And yes, it makes me more likely to throw some business their way!
Mrs. Chow says
I don’t go out, either. I will look for things in line, like Christmas presents. I think this is a FANTASTIC thing for REI to do!
Mindy says
I had not heard this. Awesome.
Kayla says
I loath Black Friday. I will stay home and shop online. I think spending tons of money just because the retailers tell you that it is a good day to shop is ridiculous.
Tamara says
The one time I shopped the day after Thanksgiving was 1975. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER again. And yes, while we buy from REI occasionally, this year we will purchase MORE! Way to go, REI! It only takes one brave retailer (or individual) to pave the way!
Earlene says
I applaud REI. I also heard that Ikea was closing for Black Friday.
Lisa B. says
I will be supporting local community theater on Black Friday this year … and that’s probably about it.
Jean says
I am so glad to hear this. I am not a Black Friday shopper. I much rather be starting with my Christmas decorating on Friday. As for stores opening up on Thanksgiving day, I don’t think they should. Give employees the chance to spend time with their families. It is unfortunate that we live in a society full of greed and selfishness. Staples are also going to be closed on Thanksgiving. I hope more stores follow suit.
Julie says
We have a Black Friday shopping tradition, but it doesn’t involve standing in lines before the sun comes up We wait until late morning to head out.
I am not familiar with REI, but I absolutely love what they are doing. I think I may look for a reason to buy something there.
Lynne says
I would not go near a toy store or a mall on Black Friday, but a few years ago, my sister and I started a tradition of heading out on Black Friday at about 7am, stopping at several less-traditional stores, and having breakfast about 10am at either a diner or McDonald’s. Our first stop was always an Ace Hardware store nearby. We were usually the only women in the store, everyone was helpful and we even had the door held open for us there. We might stop at places like Kohl’s, Staples, JoAnn’s or even Kmart, and if some place looked super crowded, we drove past. We missed the stampedes and still got some good deals on gifts, things for ourselves or the house, and we had fun.
That said, I applaud REI’s decision. There is a large appliance store in my area that has run ads for years explaining its decision to not open before its regular time on Black Friday to not infringe on its employees time with their families.
Mavis says
If everyone took the same sane, fun tradition sort of approach to the day as you do, I don’t think Black Friday would have such a bad reputation. Enjoy yourself and enjoy your time with your sister!
Kristina says
REI always has my vote! My daughter and her boyfriend are avid backpackers and the rest of us enjoy hiking and mountain biking, so REI was already going to get a lot of my Christmas business, but this seals the deal for me. Retail is a horrible job during the holidays, and even worse when you have to go straight from your Thanksgiving dinner to greet the great unwashed hordes. They took back a pair of hiking boots this year which had about 70 miles on them, because they didn’t fit right (I lost 3 toenails on a long backpacking trip, cringe), no questions asked. Their return policy is the best, hands down, which also makes them ideal for gift-giving.
Chip says
I suppose I am in the minority because my darling wife and I do go out on Black Friday (but to as many places as we once did because of online shopping). We head to Fred Meyer’s at 5 am so she can get her (and our grown daughter’s) socks at the 50% sale. I usually wander around looking for door buster small items. We then head to Lowe’s or Home Depot because they both have poinsettia plants for $.99. We buy enough to decorate both of our offices at work. While there, I am usually able to find some good deals on tools for the guys in the family (and myself). Last year I bought a $199 Delta chop saw for $49. After that we usually go have breakfast and then head home. I am impressed with REI for putting employees first AND I abhor those stores that force their employees to work on Thanksgiving so the corporation can make a few more bucks. Sales results from last year show that these stores did NOT see an increase in sales as expected because it resulted in lower sales numbers for the rest of the weekend.
Mavis says
@ Chip–I love that you and your wife have this tradition together. It sounds like a holiday kick-off tradition.
Jen Y says
We’re thinking about doing a bonfire instead of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with our family this year. We all love being outside in the woods & roasting marshmallows together sounds like so much more fun than fighting shoppers. I’ve gone Black Friday shopping once in my life & never want to do it again.