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Senior Editor

Retail Rants & Raves

By Joe Keenan

About Joe

Joe Keenan is senior editor of Retail Online Integration and Target Marketing Group's web-only brand, eM+C. In addition to his work on those publications, Joe has contributed articles for fellow Target Marketing Group publications Book Business and Publishing Executive magazines. Previously, he served as senior editor at Reed Technology & Information Services for five years. Retail Rants & Raves covers the wide spectrum of retail marketing, from the very best it has to offer to the very worst.

 

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Happy Thanksgiving ... Now Get to Work

By Joe Keenan | Posted on November 23, 2010
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As I was on the couch watching football Sunday afternoon (I know, tough day), I couldn't help but notice the number of retailers advertising that their stores would be open this coming Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Yep, Thursday, not Black Friday. While Black Friday has long been viewed as the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season, getting the frenzy started on Thanksgiving is a rather new development. A development that I find sad.

As I prepare to enjoy Thanksgiving with my family this Thursday (can't beat a day where my job is to eat turkey and watch football), thousands of store associates, warehouse staff and countless other retail employees won't be afforded the same luxury. And I ask myself why?

Now, I know there are some jobs that come with the sacrifice of having to work holidays — police officers, firefighters, hospital staff, military personnel, among others — but a cashier at Sears doesn't immediately come to mind. Does Old Navy really need to be open? I guess consumers can't live without the latest fleece pullover until Friday morning.

Now there's plenty of blame to go around on this one. First, there's the retailers themselves, who must cash in every dollar possible, even if it means overlooking the happiness of their employees. In addition to Sears and Old Navy, Wal-Mart, Big Lots and Kmart will all be open on Thanksgiving. Would it be too much to ask to just have your stores closed on this one day? I'm sure you could find some creative promotion to drive consumers to your website to make up for the lost brick-and-mortar store sales. Think of your employees, not just your bottom lines.

But consumers don't get away unscathed, either. These retailers certainly wouldn't be opening if the demand wasn't there. Relax and take the day off from shopping. Spend time with your friends and family this Thanksgiving. Trust me, the deals are going to be there bright and early come Friday morning. And if you really must shop on Thanksgiving, do it online. Remember, those store employees have families of their own, too.

Am I being unrealistic and naive? Or do you agree with me? Let me know by posting a comment below. And lastly, have a happy Thanksgiving!

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COMMENTS

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Most Recent Comments:
glenn stewart - Posted on June 14, 2011
I worked for 30 years at all levels for several major retailers---Why would anyone be surprised at yet one more method for diminishing the workplace for the largest group of exploited workers in the country? In this same newsletter is the Macy's strike story---but for retail workers the strike is of no consequence. Only 4.7%---1.7 million of the 30 million retail workers are unionized, and that's dropping fast. For them there is no lobby, no professional association, and really no Union. When I began my career in the 70's no one was indispensable---'fair enough' I said back then. When I got out a year ago, retail workers had by design become wholly disposable. Share price is the reason for existence. It is all meaner by many multiples than it used to be. It's a disgrace. And while we cut pay, increase workloads, and take away benefits, who will be left to buy the widgets? It's economic treason. Working on Thanksgiving? What took them so long?
Joe Keenan - Posted on November 29, 2010
Thanks for the feedback, Jeff (as well as all the others). And it's a fair point that you make. But my counter argument would be what's wrong with the retailers making Thanksgiving a paid holiday for their employees? Take the decision out of their hands. This is just a guess, but I have to believe Big Lots' CEO wasn't trekking into the office on Thursday, but rather at home enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with his family. Why should his lower-level employees not be afforded the same opportunity? P.S. I haven't heard or read anything about employees receiving extra pay for working on Thanksgiving, but if that's the case, I would applaud the retailer for doing so.
Gigi - Posted on November 23, 2010
I agree! I think it's sad that retailers feel that they absolutely must be open on this holiday just so they can make a couple of bucks. I feel sorry for those forced to work. Nothing is that important that stores can't remain closed for Thanksgiving. They've been doing it for hundreds of years -- why stop now!
sheri - Posted on November 23, 2010
I find it very sad. This is one of the few holidays all year that every American gets to celebrate wholeheartedly... without anyone feeling left out due to religion, personal beliefs, lack of gift-giving funds, etc. I truly wish people had the character and maturity to stay out of the stores and show retailers we don't want to lose yet another holiday to the almighty dollar. Sadly, that'll never happen. Convenience and greed will win out every time. I have never shopped on Thanksgiving..and never will. If the deal's not still there on Friday, there are plenty of other things to buy. I won't contribute to this trend.
Seean - Posted on November 23, 2010
Agreed! I remember the first time the mall I worked at decided to be open on Easter Day. It ruined my family plans. And now Thanksgiving... and even Walgreens is now open on Christmas Day so "you can get those batteries you forgot." Seriously? Look at Chic-Fil-A as a great example of a company that has stuck to their guns about giving their staff Sunday off. Of all the fast food chains in the country, they have the best employees. Coincidence? I doubt it.
jeff - Posted on November 23, 2010
The employees are probably getting paid time and a half for working Thanksgiving... in this economy, I'm sure there were plenty of hands raised to work the holiday shifts.
Click here to view archived comments...
Archived Comments:
glenn stewart - Posted on June 14, 2011
I worked for 30 years at all levels for several major retailers---Why would anyone be surprised at yet one more method for diminishing the workplace for the largest group of exploited workers in the country? In this same newsletter is the Macy's strike story---but for retail workers the strike is of no consequence. Only 4.7%---1.7 million of the 30 million retail workers are unionized, and that's dropping fast. For them there is no lobby, no professional association, and really no Union. When I began my career in the 70's no one was indispensable---'fair enough' I said back then. When I got out a year ago, retail workers had by design become wholly disposable. Share price is the reason for existence. It is all meaner by many multiples than it used to be. It's a disgrace. And while we cut pay, increase workloads, and take away benefits, who will be left to buy the widgets? It's economic treason. Working on Thanksgiving? What took them so long?
Joe Keenan - Posted on November 29, 2010
Thanks for the feedback, Jeff (as well as all the others). And it's a fair point that you make. But my counter argument would be what's wrong with the retailers making Thanksgiving a paid holiday for their employees? Take the decision out of their hands. This is just a guess, but I have to believe Big Lots' CEO wasn't trekking into the office on Thursday, but rather at home enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with his family. Why should his lower-level employees not be afforded the same opportunity? P.S. I haven't heard or read anything about employees receiving extra pay for working on Thanksgiving, but if that's the case, I would applaud the retailer for doing so.
Gigi - Posted on November 23, 2010
I agree! I think it's sad that retailers feel that they absolutely must be open on this holiday just so they can make a couple of bucks. I feel sorry for those forced to work. Nothing is that important that stores can't remain closed for Thanksgiving. They've been doing it for hundreds of years -- why stop now!
sheri - Posted on November 23, 2010
I find it very sad. This is one of the few holidays all year that every American gets to celebrate wholeheartedly... without anyone feeling left out due to religion, personal beliefs, lack of gift-giving funds, etc. I truly wish people had the character and maturity to stay out of the stores and show retailers we don't want to lose yet another holiday to the almighty dollar. Sadly, that'll never happen. Convenience and greed will win out every time. I have never shopped on Thanksgiving..and never will. If the deal's not still there on Friday, there are plenty of other things to buy. I won't contribute to this trend.
Seean - Posted on November 23, 2010
Agreed! I remember the first time the mall I worked at decided to be open on Easter Day. It ruined my family plans. And now Thanksgiving... and even Walgreens is now open on Christmas Day so "you can get those batteries you forgot." Seriously? Look at Chic-Fil-A as a great example of a company that has stuck to their guns about giving their staff Sunday off. Of all the fast food chains in the country, they have the best employees. Coincidence? I doubt it.
jeff - Posted on November 23, 2010
The employees are probably getting paid time and a half for working Thanksgiving... in this economy, I'm sure there were plenty of hands raised to work the holiday shifts.