REI Closing Stores on Black Friday

[TheCat]

KENT, Wash. -
Outdoor retailer Recreational Equipment, Inc., known as REI, has announced it will buck Black Friday and close its 143 stores on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The Kent-based co-op told members the plan in an email Monday, saying instead of working they'll pay their employees on Nov. 27 to be outside.

REI also created the social media hashtag #optoutside and a website where people can share their outdoorsy plans for that day.

The National Retail Federation said fewer people shopped over Thanksgiving weekend last year due to early discounts, more online shopping and a mixed economy.

A $2 billion-a-year company, REI has been named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 companies to work for.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/rei-gives-employees-black-friday-off/36063974

[JaxJersey-licious]

I personally am not so bothered about a store choosing to open the hours or days they want during the Holiday season. But what most big-box chains choose to do and the option REI has taken tells me how some places just value getting the leg up on competition while REI places a higher value in catering to dedicated customers.

IMO with all the talk of this store and that store opening, I always thought that the presence of REI was one of the greater "gets" for the region. Having a super-succesful, progressive outdoor retail cooperative (really, a co-op in N FLA?) with it's loyal followers choosing Jacksonville to establish its first Florida location while co-existing with the local Black Creek Outfitters down the street says a lot about the current and potential Jacksonville higher-end retail market.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'll be the cynic that believes they're only doing it for the good-will advertising of the sheeple.

OMG, they're closing Black Friday, let me post this all over social media to let everyone know what a good company this is and how much I support them for doing the RIGHT thing!!! [goes shopping on Black Friday]

You don't think it's a coincidence that they released this information in October rather than just closing the store, do you?

[JaxJersey-licious]

I'll be the cynic that believes they're only doing it for the good-will advertising of the sheeple.

Well, way to stick your neck out there you savvy consumer troubador!! 

OMG, they're closing Black Friday, let me post this all over social media to let everyone know what a good company this is and how much I support them for doing the RIGHT thing!!! [goes shopping on Black Friday]

You don't think it's a coincidence that they released this information in October rather than just closing the store, do you?

Fair enough. Actually I don't think their campaign is altruistic in the slightest. They're actually trying to drum up their customer base by encouraging to do things with equipment and products they sell. Then those potential customers would come back soon after thinking "You know if we had that and these on that camping trip last Friday..." and associating those needs with their store.

Those kind of consumers would make for much better customers that the typical bottom-feeders that establishments that open T'Giving Day and scattering their store with loss-leaders attract.

More power to them, but I personally prefer to enjoy my entire Thanksgiving Day with family and friends and being outdoors the day after.

[Jumpinjack]

Good on REI.

[I-10east]

I'll be the cynic that believes they're only doing it for the good-will advertising of the sheeple.

OMG, they're closing Black Friday, let me post this all over social media to let everyone know what a good company this is and how much I support them for doing the RIGHT thing!!! [goes shopping on Black Friday]

You don't think it's a coincidence that they released this information in October rather than just closing the store, do you?

I tend to agree.