Announcements by chain retailers that they will be open on Thanksgiving Day is no longer big news. If anything, it has become expected that at some point during the day, most large chains will open their store doors for consumers who simply can't wait until midnight or some other ridiculously early hour on Black Friday to start shopping for Christmas. That's what makes Staples announcement that it plans to keep its stores closed on Thanksgiving newsworthy.
The decision by Staples to close its doors is in contrast to the past two Thanksgiving Days when it opened for business. Perhaps the decision to close this year is an indication of what many critics of early openings have said for years — that staying open increases costs and degrades morale for associates at a time of year when they need to be at the top of their games.
"We want our customers and associates to enjoy Thanksgiving their own way," said Demos Parneros, president, North American stores and online, Staples, in a statement. "On Thanksgiving Day, customers can shop from home on Staples.com and then continue their shopping in stores starting at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. Whether our customers like the convenience of shopping online, in our stores or a combination of both, Staples will have amazing products at great prices throughout the holiday season."
Photo: Staples
Along with many others, Staples is not waiting until the traditional Black Friday weekend to start touting its "amazing deals" for the holiday selling season. The chain said it would begin offering special holiday savings beginning in early November.