Moving Black Friday Up A Week Could Save Thanksgiving

Consumerist ^

[SMGFan]

We don’t know when the warm water finally started to boil, but it’s safe to say that Black Friday now begins shortly after dinner is served on Thanksgiving. But rather than continue to fight this trend, we think that the only way to restore Thanksgiving is to have Black Friday sales begin a weekend earlier.

More precisely, we’re proposing that all those doorbusters either begin on the Friday night or early Saturday morning the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Here’s why: It’s Inevitable Walmart and Target and all the other early-openers would not be throwing open their doors on Thanksgiving night if they weren’t making money. This means that for all the people who complain about Black Friday Creep, there are enough people lining up at all hours of the night in the hope of getting their hands on a few, deeply discounted items. And now that Thanksgiving night sales are becoming the norm, good luck trying to get this lion back in the cage. Some retailers have already dipped their toes into this water with “Pre-Black-Friday” sales. Back in 2009, Sears went so far as to declare Halloween weekend as “Black Friday,” but that was too soon and Sears is no longer the retail industry trendsetter it once was. The real test will be when a major retailer opens up Thanksgiving morning. We imagine it will be a success, and if so, you’ll soon see Wednesday night, then Tuesday, etc. This gradual process would likely take several years and just inflame ill will on both sides of the debate. We say it’s best just to avoid that civil war and move forward with the healing.

[GunningForTheBuddha]

Personally I am Going Galt on Black Friday - actually most days from now on. If I don't absolutely need it I am not buying it, if it comes from a blue state I am not buying it. Democrats or Republicans don't fear us because they don't feel us.

What happened Tuesday is what always happens: we get screwed, we bitch and complain, then we pick ourselves up go back to work and pay our taxes. Really why should either party care what we think if we just roll over like a bunch of weak pansies?

[sheana]

Well I did my Christmas shopping (we only buy for the kids) before the election. They get nuthin from me. lol

[cableguymn]

just remember the same mob that voted in Obamaclaus will be at (insert your favorite store here) with their EBT cards all expecting (insert black friday deal here)..

We all know what they do if they don’t get what they want.

I’ll be at home.

I do retail POS support. If a register goes down on black friday I’ll fix it.... Monday.

[SaraJohnson]

I won’t be feeding the social disgrace known as “black friday.” I have never seen herds of people acting like rabid dogs as they do on modern day “black fridays.”

The whole dark commerical ritual has become materialistic, dehumanizing and disappointing. No joy in shopping on Black Friday. No savings if you lose your soul in the process.

[houeto]

Black Friday is evil.

Please help me out with your comment dfwgator. What is evil about it?

-houeto.

[houeto]

When stores open 8pm , many employees will arrive at work as early as 6pm. I cannot many of them head to work after being with family considering they will until 4 or 5am. Many may sleep by noon .

Gracious sakes alive! Whatever that's supposed to mean has my head spinning.