Source: patagonia.com
Patagonia, the outdoors clothing and gear retailer, is looking to do-good its way to a stellar Christmas selling season. The retailer has announced that it will donate 100 percent of the profits it makes from Black Friday sales in its stores and website to environmental groups.
CEO Rose Marcario wrote on the company’s blog that Patagonia will distribute the day’s profits to “grassroots organizations working in local communities to protect our air, water and soil for future generations. These are small groups, often underfunded and under the radar, who work on the front lines. The support we can give is more important now than ever.”
Patagonia is working with the non-profit 1% for the Planet to distribute the funds to the environmental groups. Patagonia has dedicated one percent of its sales to environmental causes to the tune of $74 million to date.
In the blog, Ms. Marcario wrote of the need for all those who treasure clean air and water to get involved during what has become “a difficult and divisive time.” She wrote that Patagonia offers proof “that caring for our planet is not in conflict with running a successful business.”
Earlier this month, Patagonia closed its business on Election Day while encouraging its workers to vote for candidates that support environmental issues.
Patagonia rival REI has garnered some headlines with its decision to remain closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday and for giving its workers the day off with pay. The decision is part of REI’s #OptOutside campaign that encourages everyone to step away from their shopping carts and have fun with family and friends outdoors.