Stop making Black Friday on a Thursday
Stores starting Black Friday on a Thursday interferes with Thanksgiving.| Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
In America, Black Friday has become much like the Hunger Games. Depending on how much time you give up with your family, the odds will be ever in your favor.
Historically, there have been fights, deaths and thefts, all in the hopes of getting a deal.
Wal-Mart is no stranger to danger. This year, Wal-Mart shoppers will see many deals and deeper inventory levels, but the guarantee as to whether or not one will actually be able to obtain these deals is still non-existent.
“Our customers can count on us to deliver three things on Black Friday – we’re offering amazing prices, we bought deeper on the gifts they want, and we simplified the shopping experience in stores and online,” said Steve Bratspies, chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S.
The in-store shopping encounter for the consumer will still be a war zone that starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Thankfully, with the safety concerns of previous Black Fridays, places like Best Buy have ensured a first-come-first-serve ticketing process that has minimized much of this.
But this has also led to consumers camping outside, and employees forsaking the Thanksgiving experience with family to work the early hours of store opening for the many that wait patiently for “Door-Buster Deals.”
Best Buy spokesperson Shane Kitzman said, “From the high-fives we give customers as they come in the door to the ticketing system that ensures those who have been waiting in line get the gift they’ve been camping out for, making the shopping experience smooth and enjoyable for everyone.”
Although the ticketing system ensures a safe and orderly transaction process, companies like Home Depot try to build a more emotional connection to their customers to hype the event to be a family affair.
“One thing we do strive to do differently than other companies is we go out there, interact with customers and provide people in line with coffee and donuts. We really want our customers to know that we appreciate them spending their hard-earned money with us,” said Home Depot Store Manager Rondon Redford.
Home Depot is taking steps to set them apart from other retailers also by opening at 6 a.m. on Thursday.
“I think this helps the culture of the Home Depot. (We want) to set aside time for associates to enjoy their family,” Redford said. “Home Depot stands behind the values of taking care of our people.”
Other retailers also have made it a point to ensure families get to see their loved ones on this holiday, like GameStop and Staples who plan to “open later on Friday, but plan to remain closed on Thanksgiving,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
It is imperative that Black Friday remains an experience on a actual Friday and give the consumer and employees a chance to experience what Thanksgiving was actually intended for, food and family.
Opinion columnist Phylicia Davidson is an English senior and may be reached at [email protected]
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