Macy's employees will be working on Thanksgiving — and we're not talking about at the company's annual parade. The department store chain, which has kept its stores closed on Thanksgiving Day for its 155 years in business, will break with tradition and open its doors at 8 p.m.
The department store chain is promoting the early opening as a way for shoppers to grab special Black Friday deals before the clock officially begins on that day. In a press release to announce the early opening, Macy's said its move was "consistent with many other retailers."
The company said it tried to minimize the impact on associates by giving them "the time to review available shifts throughout the holiday season, including on Thanksgiving weekend, and to volunteer for the shifts they prefer."
Reactions to the move were mixed. Some lamented the loss of time with family and friends to commercialism, while others were happy for the shopping diversion and a chance for Macy's employees to pick up some holiday hours.
- Macy's Announces Spectacular Black Friday Deals - Macy's
- Most Macy's stores will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving - USA Today
- Macy's to open on Thanksgiving for the first time - The Washington Post (tiered sub.)
- Macy's to break with tradition, open Thanksgiving at 8 p.m.: employees - Chicago Sun-Times