Summary: Kmart has announced it will open at 6:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day to allow Black Friday shoppers additional time to hunt for deals.
Although many consumers have been critical of stores that open on Thanksgiving for Black Friday sales, accusing such businesses of taking holiday celebrations away from their employees, Kmart has decided to remain open for an incredible 42 hours straight for Black Friday sales—starting at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. According to the Huffington Post, the 42-hour shopping spree is an hour longer than last year’s Black Friday hours.
Here is a story about last year’s Black Friday sales tactics.
Sears Holdings Corp. owns both Sears and Kmart. Sears will open its doors for Black Friday deal hunters at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving evening.
In what’s been called a “War on Thanksgiving,” Kmart and Sears join many stores that open on Thanksgiving, which, according to many, forces their employees to miss holiday fun with their families for low wages. However, a Kmart and Sears spokesperson stated that stores will be employing seasonal workers, as well as employees who have volunteered to take on the Black Friday crowds. They will earn “holiday pay” in exchange.
Read about Kmart’s 2013 holiday hours here.
Leena Munjal, senior vice president for Sears Holdings, said, “This holiday season is all about giving more to our members and because many like to start shopping well before Black Friday we’re excited to open our doors early on Thanksgiving and offer other early access opportunities for them to shop and save.”
In addition to Sears and Kmart, shoppers will also be able to make purchases at most Wal-Mart stores all day on Thanksgiving, and Macy’s will open at 6:00 p.m. that evening. Macy’s will pay its employees time-and-a-half for working the holiday.
Costco and Sam’s Club have stated that they will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Last year, many were outraged that Kmart opened at 6:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. In addition, opening so early did not really affect Kmart’s sales: comparable-store sales at both Kmart and Sears dropped during last year’s holiday season.
Read about Wal-Mart’s 2013 Black Friday schedule here.
Sears Holdings, which has been hurting financially in recent months, will be closing over 100 underperforming stores. Thousands of employees will be laid off as the company attempts to generate cash.
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