REI closing all stores on Black Friday

Monello

Monello

Smarter than the average bear
PREMO Member
Bold move or really, really fiscally irresponsible?

This Black Friday the co-op is doing something different. We’re closing all 143 of our stores. Instead of reporting to work, we’re paying our employees to do what we love most—be outside.
We want you, our members, to be the first to hear—not just what we’re doing, but why.
We’re passionate about bringing you great gear, but we’re even more passionate about the experiences it unlocks for all of us. Perhaps John Muir said it best back in 1901: “thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home.”
We think Black Friday is the perfect day to remind people of this essential truth.
And don’t worry, as a member you’ll still enjoy great deals on great gear all holiday season long. But on this one day, we’re going to #OptOutside and we want you to join us.
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H

Hodr

Guest
As far as I remember REI doesn't really have big sales to begin with. They are a specialty store, so loss leader schemes don't really apply (I.E. if I go there because a pair of bike shorts are on sale, I'm not likely to stick around and do my weekly grocery shopping).

So if Black Friday has proven not to be a big catch for your store, why not get some free publicity announcing how progressive you are giving your employees the day off.
 
LibertyBeacon

LibertyBeacon

Unto dust we shall return
Monello said:
What's your take on this move?
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As someone who spends far too much at REI on hiking and climbing gear, I don't think sales will hurt from missing Black Friday. Perhaps more eloquently encapsulated in the "specialty store" comment above. They are a co-op, and while profits certainly are a motive the culture is much different there. Have they been open on previous Black Fridays? I assume they have, otherwise this wouldn't get a mention. I wonder what sales are like compared to other Black Fridays? I'm a long-time member and not only have I never gone out of my way to go to REI on Black Friday (I generally don't leave the house), I neither recall a single flyer indicating blowout sales on same. So participating in the Christmas-induced commercialism is just not a thing.

So I see it as neither. Neither a bold move, nor really fiscally irresponsible. I see it as somewhere in-between. Like wherever you find the option that says, "maybe they just wanted to close on Black Friday, and I couldn't care less why -- not that it is any of my business to start with."
 
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