Will other retailers follow REI and close on Black Friday?

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Don’t expect major retailers to follow REI’s move to close its stores on Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year.

REI, a chain that sells hiking boots, yoga mats and other outdoor and fitness apparel, said this week that it will not open its doors on the day after Thanksgiving. The day, which is called Black Friday, has grown into an American holiday shopping spectacle.

But many other retailers won’t be able to give up Black Friday as easily. Target, Wal-Mart and Macy’s didn’t return requests seeking comment on this story, but industry watchers say big retailers that sell toys, clothes and electronics depend on sales generated during that day.

REI, on the other hand, likely won’t lose many sales as a result. And what the company loses in sales, it will gain in good will from its employees and customers, marketing experts say.

“It makes them seem like they are socially responsible and doing the right thing,” says marketing consultant Allen Adamson of BrandSimple Consulting. “Younger consumers are very concerned about how companies behave and treat their employees.”

“We feel that Black Friday has gotten a little out of hand,” said Tim Spangler, REI’s senior vice president of retail.