It's just a few days before Christmas and the pressure is starting to build for those who have yet to buy presents and have ruled out going the gift card route. For those consumers, at least those living in proximity to the borough of Queens in New York, there is hope.
Starting this morning at 7:00 A.M., the Macy's at Queens Center Mall will open for 83 straight hours. The uniqueness of a department store operating 24/7 has not been lost on those hearing the news.
Kathy Grannis, a spokesperson for the National Retail Federation (NRF), wasn't positive but said this could be the first time a department store operated around the clock. "It's incredible," she told the New York Daily News.
Consumers had mixed reaction to the announcement.
One shopper, Nicole Sandy, called Macy's hours "a procrastinator's dream!"
Evelyn Bodan, a retired public school teacher from Jackson Heights, said, "I ain't going to be here at 3 o'clock in the morning. I think I have better things to do, like sleeping."
Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, thought Macy's test in Queens had merit. If "it's good the first day or two, they will do it with other Macy's stores," he said.
Discussion Questions: Will the novelty of Macy's being open 24 hours in the lead up to Christmas catch the attention of consumers? Even if traffic is light, will the effect of the publicity surrounding the expanded hours draw curious consumers to the store? Do you see Macy's or other department stores attempting this next year?