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To Thanksgiving or not to Thanksgiving

Obviously, we’re not talking about whether or not you should celebrate Thanksgiving. What we’re talking about is whether or not a retail store should open on Thanksgiving. On the one hand, it seems smart to do to get ahead of the Black Friday sales rush. On the other hand, nationwide we’re seeing wider acceptance and consumer appreciation for retail outlets that close on major holidays so that employees can spend time with their families and consumers aren’t lured out of their homes.

 

Take a look at the outlets that don’t open on Sundays and that are closed on all major holidays. Hobby Lobby… Chick-Fil-A… and recently, Ace Hardware. While two of those business has been reported as controversial in their reasoning and corporate outlooks, Ace Hardware is one of the major hardware retailers nationwide and they’ve come out in support of NOT opening on Thanksgiving. Their reasoning? As reported, so that the customers can stay home and enjoy their families; and so can the store employees.

For some retail outlets it makes sense to be open on Thanksgiving – but even those are personal health and wellness related. Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens… you know – drug stores. Let’s face it: accidents and illnesses don’t take holidays. Have you ever stopped to think about how many people might get burned or cut preparing Thanksgiving dinner? Drug stores – those that have pharmacies open to get E.R. prescriptions filled – probably don’t do a high volume of business, but when their products are needed, the consumers are truly thankful that the store is open. Can the same be said of a home improvement retailer?

Sure, there’s the possibility that someone will have a home emergency and need some item from your outlet to fix / repair / patch up some minor issue. But those instances are fewer and farther between than those getting burned or cut. And most home repair challenges aren’t of an emergency nature.

Keeping all that in mind, while there may be a temptation to open your outlet / retail location on Thanksgiving in an attempt to get ahead of Black Friday sales… you need to consider carefully. There is a significant segment of consumers who are now rejecting, and even avoiding, retailers who do such.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Home Improvement Retailer to you.

 

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