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There seems to be an alarming loss of traditional American values these days. According to The Huffington Post, Kmart stores are getting a jump on Black Friday by opening at 6 A.M. on Thanksgiving Day. The public’s reaction to their decision is not good. People are outraged. In less than twenty-four hours since Kmart made their decision widely known, the online backlash has been definite and more than crystal clear. Facebook is crushed with consumer complaints since Monday and Tuesday.
As a result of a calendar curiosity the shopping season will be six days shorter, which means retailers will want to get every last dollar in before the holidays. Thanksgiving Day may very well become the new Black Friday. Kmart is not the only store getting a head start on Thanksgiving. Sears, Macy’s and Wal-Mart will also be open on the special day of giving thanks. However, Kmart’s startling opening time of 6 A.M. leaves almost no time to celebrate and enjoy the holiday and conveys a complete disregard for its many employees. Accepting the sudden and enormous backlash, Kmart was prepared in saying that they hire seasonal staff and volunteers for the shocking hours, but consumers don’t agree and many angry shoppers have refused to ever shop at Kmart again.
Many people have voiced their opinions that it is the minimum wage paid employees that are getting the raw end of the deal, while people in higher up positions will get to be home with their families. Corynne Hauser wrote, “Are your higher-ups” in the company working at 6am on Thanksgiving and then for 41 hours more?…You have associates and managers who work constantly that can’t get the holiday off because you choose to be open ALL day on Thanksgiving.” Another angry consumer, Joshua Runyon, simply posted, “You are horrible people!” Danie Pratt expressed, “Your store employees will be deprived of sleep when they must get up to be at work by 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day instead of spending it with their families!” Wendy Ward Sellers commented, “You should not be so greedy. Leave your store closed for ONE day in honor of all we have to give thanks for.” Kenn Nees, a former employee in retail, revealed, “Your company does not value its employees and neither do most retail nowadays . . .” and he went on to say that it is the reason he no longer works in retail.
Image Credit: The Huffington Post
