More Stores Announce They Won’t Be Open This Thanksgiving – Trend Spreading

The number of stores that announced they would NOT be open on Thanksgiving Day began to trickle out in mid-October, and now, the list of major outlets has exploded.

This year, a kind of backlash has erupted, fueled by social media such as Facebook, against stores who plan to open or be open all day on Thanksgiving.    You may remember a couple of years ago when Toys R Us and some other retailers made big news by announcing they would open late Thanksgiving evening.   They were quickly joined by others, and pretty soon, the Black Friday snowball powered it's way into the holiday.

But this year, it seems millions of people have changed direction, and believe we've gone too far.   Back on October 24th, four major chains announced they would NOT be open - choosing to lose potential profits for the far greater public relations benefit of showing gratitude towards their workers with the day off.  They were Burlington, Dillards, REI and American Girl.

Now the list has exploded to 30, says the Christian Science Monitor.   Some of the biggies you won't see open November 27th include:

• Barnes & Noble
• Bed Bath and Beyond
• Costco
• Game Stop
• Hobby Lobby
• Home Depot
• Lowes
• PetCo
• Pier One

Some stores initially joined that trend, then abruptly changed course. Radio Shack officials said last year they missed significant retail opportunities on Thanksgiving, and reduced Black Friday hours.  So, they will be open.   Others who will be open will include:

• Target
• Gap
• Kmart
• Walmart
• Toys R Us
• Gap
• JC Penney

However,  the Oregonian Newspaper Tuesday reported what we say about not shopping on Thanksgiving may NOT coincide with our shopping habits.   While 90% of the readers who responded to the newspaper's online poll about shopping on the holiday by saying "no" they would not,   major retail experts disagree.

New York retail expert Marshal Cohen, who follows closely holiday shopping trends, says at least 28% of Americans plan to enter stores on Thanksgiving with holiday purchases in mind.    The paper also reported in Portland, as well as around the country,  stores that were open last Thanksgiving (such as Best Buy, Target and others) had long lines and steady crowds the entire time they were open.   While that number may not seem large, it flies in the face of numerous consumer surveys which mirror the Oregonian's 90% who said they won't shop on the holiday.   And Cohen says that 28% is growing.

Perhaps the best comment on the whole shop-or-not on Thanksgiving came from one person who commented on the Oregonian's story:

"The shameless materialism on display in America every holiday season makes me sad. I can't believe some people would rather save a few bucks on gifts than spend time with their families."

We couldn't agree more...