As stores up the ante with earlier holiday hours that creep into Thanksgiving night, Black Friday is turning into Black Thursday, and some shoppers and employees aren’t happy about it.
ӢToys R Us said Monday it will open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, an hour earlier than last year.
”¢Walmart will open at 10 p.m., two hours ahead of last year’s midnight opening.
”¢Other stores — including Target, Macy’s, Best Buy and Kohl’s — will open at midnight.
So don’t go. And pray for the employees who have to work.
Many, many years ago, I would get up early and stand in line for when the doors opened Black Friday at 7 AM. I gave that up when the times started moving earlier and earlier. Many of the Big Box stores will have items deeply discounted, only problem is, they only have 2 of this, and 3 of that at those low proces. It just doesn’t make sense to me to stand in line several hours, and then risk getting trampled.
It’s getting insane. In a lot of our stores, the Christmas merchandise was right next to the Halloween merchandise. I realize stores have to plan and decorate seasonally, but, come on…
This is really very abusive of the employees. Thank you for posting a list of stores I will not be patronizing this year.
Lowest common denominator comes to mind. Google “Nordstrom Holiday Hours” for a pleasant bucking of the tide on this issue.
#4 — That’s an assumption. When I worked retail way back when, I didn’t mind working Sundays and holidays one bit. Lots of other people didn’t, either, because they made it worth your while, paywise. They’d usually provide treats in the break room, too.
You never worked the whole day. You could still have a family celebration either before or after you worked. We needed the money and the money was generous. Besides that, unless you’re a football fanatic or want to sit around watching movies, there’s not much to do on Thanksgiving after dinner. I was fine with working and my coworkers were, too. The managers asked for volunteers first and there were always people who wanted the extra money, didn’t have plans, didn’t celebrate the holiday, etc.
Lots of people have to work on holidays. It’s just the way it is when you’re in a service-related field or business. Are you going to boycott your city (police, fire, ambulance, and maintenance people have to work), newspapers/media, hospitals, and other places? You may not need or demand services but others do and the expectation is that you provide it. Heck, I enjoyed working retail on holidays a lot more than being part of the skeleton crew at the newspaper. Sitting in a dark newsroom editing on Christmas could get depressing but it was fun being out and among people in a store on New Year’s or another holiday.
I have to agree with Teatime! I’ve often worked on holidays — and very contentedly too. My family is 9 hours away and I’m often not able to make it back home. There’s a real freedom at being able to grind away in the office without the cackle of phones, getting things accomplished for clients, and knowing that others will be pleasantly surprised. Plus it’s quiet and still celebratory. I can play music, light a nice candle, maybe slip away to a church service, go for a run . . . those holidays are usually great days for me and much more laid back even while I churn out the work.
And it’s true — tons of industries work hard during holidays: clergy, physicians, hospital nurses and emt’s, police/ems, and many other people. I’ve worked in a law firm and it was stunning how many lawyers came into work before and after family time.
Great way to make money and allow others to enjoy their hectic family lives!