Are you planning to go shopping Thanksgiving night? Many shoppers this year are saying "no," and a growing number of stores are listening.
You may remember the days, in the '90s and early 2000s, when Black Friday was actually on Friday. It was originally designated, back in the 1970s, for "Day after Thanksgiving sales."
Between 2008 and 2010, the major retailers took a gamble and moved opening times up to midnight Thursday. It worked, and shoppers started lining up at 7 p.m., after Thanksgiving dinner.
Now, it starts Thanksgiving afternoon at the "big three," Walmart (6 p.m.), Best Buy (5 p.m.) and Target (5 p.m.).
Some shoppers are not happy.
"I am not a fan of it. I would much rather spend time with the kids," mom Rachel Bauman said, loading her toddler into her minivan outside Target.
Shopper Raye Davis was more succinct.
"I think Thanksgiving should be for family and friends," not shopping, she said.
Prodded by Facebook groups such as "Boycott Shopping on Thanksgiving Day", some stores are refusing to open until Friday morning, or starting sales earlier.
Among more than 70 stores closed on Thanksgiving Day 2018, according to BestBlackFriday.com, are:
- Bed Bath and Beyond
- Burlington
- Costco
- Dillard's
- H&M
- Home Goods
- Home Depot
- Lowe's
- Ikea
- TJ Maxx
- Marshall's
- Menards
- Nordstrom (and Nordstrom Rack)
- Staples
- Stein Mart
CLICK HEREfor BestBlackFriday'com's full list.
But don't expect a return to the old days.
Look closely and you'll notice that many of these stores (except perhaps for IKEA) are stores that would have people lining up 5 hours before the doors open.
Could you imagine Nordstrom customers camping out in a parking lot all day for.... shoes? (OK, maybe if they were half-price Jimmy Choos).
For the Big 3 holiday retailers, Best Buy, Walmart and Target, as well as Macy's, Kohl's and JC Penney, Thanksgiving evening openings make money — a lot of money.
Of course, some people enjoy Thanksgiving shopping, as it gets them out of the house, and away from Uncle Al's reminiscing about the 1950s. Others just enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
If you really can't stand your in-laws, and don't mind missing dinner, then check out JC Penney. It opens at 2 p.m. Thanksgiving day.
As always don't waste your money.
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