Many retailers are looking to get a jump on holiday sales by getting started before Black Friday. A number of chains, including Gap Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores, are also planning to have locations open on Thanksgiving for shoppers who may want to mix a little shopping in with their turkey.
"We were open for Easter this year and decided to give Thanksgiving a try," Tawnya Scott, a manager at Banana Republic in downtown Seattle told The Seattle Times. "Being downtown, you have a lot of visitors who want something to do that day." Ms. Scott's store will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
"Since most people are off work on Thanksgiving, and they're already in the holiday mood, they might like the idea of shopping," Ellen Davis, a spokesperson at the National Retail Federation, told The Seattle Times.
Ms. Davis also said retailers need to consider some downsides associated with staying open on the holiday.
"There's a sensitivity factor for customers who don't want to see Thanksgiving become commercialized," she said. "And there certainly are employee sensitivities. People have to staff the store that day."
Discussion Question: Is it a good idea or bad for retailers to open stores on Thanksgiving?