These 13 Stores Are Putting Their Foot Down Against Black Friday Craziness
Thanksgiving every year slowly gives up more and more of its time for the craze known as Black Friday, where crazy consumers go out and try to find deals on gifts for Christmas or whatever in an all-day, all-out shopping spree. Unfortunately, Black Friday has started taking over Thursday with retailers opening their doors earlier and earlier, so as early as 5 PM on Thanksgiving.
However, we commend these stores for standing their ground and realizing Thanksgiving is a time meant for family.
Easter, Christmas and New Year's Day, so they really do understand the meaning of family values. Thanks, Sam!
Spokeswoman Doreen Thompson explained their rationale:
"We feel so strongly about our employees spending Thanksgiving with their families. And we don't anticipate this changing in the future
So, they have the same values and will therefore be closed as well.
Read a book in their honor, and maybe shop online. Just don't go to Barnes & Noble, because they'll be closed, like we said.
All of which will be spending much deserved time with their loved ones during Thanksgiving, rather than dealing with terrifying customers searching for deals like the rules of society no longer exist.
Demos Paneros, president, North American stores and online for Staples said:
"We want our customers and associates to enjoy Thanksgiving their own way."
Their CEO explains:
"(We) believe that being outside makes our lives better." So, he is, "paying our employees to head outside."
Mike Buskey, executive vice president and president of U.S. Stores had this to say at a press release:
"We believe strongly that our customers and associates should have the opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving holiday relaxing with family and friends, and not worrying with the stress of where to find the best shopping deals. We know this is in stark contrast to what many other retailers are doing, but we are taking a stance to protect family time during this important holiday."
Travis Smith, former CEO and president of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. said in 2011:
"Out of respect to our Team Members and their families, Jo-Ann stores will not be open Thanksgiving Day."
In a statement, the company explained:
"Family time is extremely important to us, and we want our associates to enjoy the holiday with their loved ones."
He told Huffington Post back in 2013:
"Maybe call me old-fashioned, but I feel that it’s an easy decision to make [to stay closed on Thanksgiving]."
A spokesperson explained last year around this time:
"We choose to remain closed on Thanksgiving in longstanding tradition of honoring of our customers’ and associates’ time with family.”
A spokesperson said:
"It’s a holiday—we’re closed!"
Well, isn't that just too obvious to be true?! Unfortunately, many, many other retailers will be open as Black Friday Madness continues to slowly take over the best holiday there is, because it's dedicated to just eating. Shop on, greedy consumers (not of food apparently).