When They Open, Will You Shop?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s the time of the year retailers rejoice at Americans overconsumption.

A few years ago, some major retailers began opening for business on Thanksgiving Day, a day we traditionally set aside to celebrate with our families. Last year, Kmart opened on Thanksgiving but closed for a few hours to allow workers to celebrate the holiday. But this year, the retailer said it will open and stay open for 41 straight hours—from 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day until 11 p.m. on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

Some consumers are outraged at Kmart’s decision and took to social media, threatening to boycott the retailer if it didn’t reverse its decision, reports CNNMoney.

“Very upset that you think family values are not important when you choose to open Thanksgiving morning, at 6 AM!!!! Shame, shame, shame on you,” Dolores Canning wrote on Kmart’s Facebook page.

“I would like to let you know how upset I am that you will be opening your stores on Thanksgiving morning,” wrote Alexander Massa of Haddonfield, N.J. “Kmart, In case you’re not aware, your employees have families and deserve to spend that holiday with them. Not in your store. With that said, I will not be doing any of my holiday shopping at your store and will encourage friends and family to participate in my boycott.”

Others accepted the reality.

“Why the outrage?” wrote Skyler Perry of Atlanta. “Kmart is doing what businesses do... Make Money.”

Sherry Kuelz of Madison, Wis., supports the store’s decision to open on Thanksgiving. She wrote on the retailer’s Facebook page: “My son works there and LOVES to work the holidays, why? Because he is part time it gives him a chance to make more money and he’d rather work the holidays, he LOVEs it and it’s not like he works all 24 hours, he works 8 hours, or less, PERIOD. This still gives him the chance to have Thanksgiving with the family, Christmas with the family, and HE CHOOSES THE HOURS, it’s not like he’s FORCED to work the hours he doesn’t want…”

Kmart responded to the commenters on its Facebook page, saying: “We understand many associates want to spend time with their families during the holiday. With this in mind Kmart stores do their very best to staff with seasonal associates and those who are needed to work holidays.”

I’ve resigned myself to the trend. Other retailers have also announced their Thanksgiving Day shopping hours. Target said it planned to open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and remain open all night, closing at 11 p.m. on Black Friday, reports 24/7 Wall St., a content partner with USA Today. Best Buy, Kohl’s, J.C. Penny, Toys R Us and Wal-Mart are some of the stores that will open on Thanksgiving Day.

And you know what?

When they open, people will shop.

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Source: Washington Post

Michelle Singletary: Nationally Syndicated Personal Finance Columnist, The Washington Post

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