The Winds Of Holiday Shopping Are Changing

When it comes to holiday shopping, the search for the bigger better deal rages on.  One retailer, however, has changed the way we look at Black Friday forever. 

REI has taken a stand towards bringing families closer together, this holiday season.  They are closing their doors the day after Thanksgiving and giving ALL their employees the day off... with pay!  They are taking it one step further by asking everyone to#OptOutside. Yup, they are asking everyone to back away from their computers, stay out of the stuffy, over crowded stores and enjoy the fresh air.  

That's ok you shop online, you say?  Well they thought of that too.  They will be placing a page that will simply suggest you walk away from the computer and go outside for the day.  Oh sure, you can click past that page and shop to your hearts content, but there will be no one there to handle your order until the following work day.

Is REI's CEO an amazing guy?  Is he compassionate, giving and really looking our for the well being of the people that make REI tick or he is a marketing genius?  With all the press that is being driven around his decision to close on one of the biggest shopping days of the year, you would think he may be a little off his rocker.  Yet, if you take into consideration all the buzz around this "decision from the heart" you may ask you self, how much exposure will the company gain?  How much will the get in free advertising?  Think about it... REI is on the lips of people that may have never even considered their store in the past.  So I ask again... big sweet heart or a marketing god! 

Do you support the trend of closing doors on major holidays?  Tell me what you think in the comment section.  

Cheers,

Lynn

*See USA Today's full story here! https://usat.ly/1P2Q0zI