A Friday that starts on Thursday
Black Fridaythe day after Thanksgiving that launches the holiday season with huge discountsis coming up. Large retailers look forward to this time to improve their sales numbers for the year.
By some estimates, last year 92 people spent an average of $407.23 on that day. For the whole weekend, the number of shoppers surpassed 141 million.
This year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has very high expectations. The umbrella organization for large retailers predicts an increase of 4.1% versus 2013, reaching a total of $619 billion in sales. To achieve this, retailers expect to hire about 800,000 temporary employees.
Given the current economy, the NRF’s predictions are very enthusiastic. And in order to achieve these goals, retailers will be invading one of the most traditional holidays for American families.
Not long ago, businesses were closed on the third Thursday in November. Relatives and friends made plans to take advantage of the next day’s sales, and the more adventurous ones would spend the night outside stores to be first in line the next morning.
Now, there are several retailers that start Black Friday on Thursday. It has become one more sales day, and employees must choosewhen they canbetween their families and working on Thanksgiving Day.
Other stores, on the other hand, deliberately remain closed on that day so that their employees can spend it with their families.
The ones who open on Thursday say they do it for their customers’ convenience; the ones who close do it for their employees. We think that on an important date like Thanksgiving Day, what should prevail is an emphasis on the value of family, as has always been the case.
Consumption is essential to keep the economy afloat and active. However, traditions and values, like Thanksgiving Day, are a fundamental part of the American way of life. At this point in time, having one more sales day won’t make as much of a difference as a day with the family around the table to give thanks for all we have
