REI to shut on Black Friday to have employees go outside

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REI used to offer a lifetime guarantee on every product they sold. Sadly, this was abused by many people which I believe left no other option than to limit it. This used to make up for paying full retail for everything. Backcountry.com soon followed suite by reducing their warranty accordingly.

As a climber, I've noticed their selection in that department has dwindled quite dramatically over the years.

Maybe these things aren't practical in today's world. For me, they are slowly transitioning from an amazing store I would plug every chance I got, to just another retailer.

If you're ever in Canada, be sure to check out MEC. They still have a lifetime guarantee and their house brand is top-notch and of exceptional value.

So, in the long run, they can be cheaper and the staff are more knowledgeable than average (for retail) about the things they sell. That means they hire enthusiasts (hikers, campers, cyclists, etc., and not random JC student who do not care much about what they sell.

However, a few years ago (2009), my wife and I went out late Thanksgiving night for a midnight Toys R Us opening… then Old Navy… then Walmart… then Kmart. It was certainly crazy, but we saved around $300. We got video games, Lego sets and toys. All of it was stuff we wanted, and none of it was junk.

Would I do it again? With the perspective of how it interrupts Thanksgiving for all those employees, I think probably not. I'd be part of the problem. But it definitely paid off at the time.

Sort of aside— you don't have to drop your turkey leg and rush out the door on Thanksgiving to get in line to get good deals. Ignore the doorbusters and drop by the stores anytime later in the day. There's lots of other good stuff that's legitimately on sale that's still there all day. Costco doesn't even open early on Black Friday, and their sales go through the weekend.

But... This is a fantastic PR play, which strategically could help earnings overall. Not saying a good PR play can't be mutually beneficial for employees and the company, but if they weren't trying to get attention for it, they could have just sent out a boring memo company-wide instead of setting up a big campaign (I still think a memo would get attention, but that's besides the point).

This isn't me being cynical, I think REI does some fantastic things as a company and for the greater good of preserving the outdoors as well as encouraging people to explore, but it could certainly be a brilliant part of their marketing strategy to grow business and customer loyalty.

I don't know what the meaning of life is, but if it isn't "working hard so the shareholders can make more money", then we are in trouble.

Same reason stores close at night.. not enough customers to justify running 24 hours.

http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52a1db6969bedd87275...

Also, retailers gain loyalty from low prices, rather than lose it.

They're certainly well equipped for said camping.

Some activities work better than others of course.

I mean, I guess it depends heavily on where you live. But I've lived in Sacramento, So Cal, and Utah.

For the first two November is actually quite a bit nicer than the hotter months July-September.

And while November isn't the prettiest month along the Wasatch Front in Utah, if the snow has started falling it's great for snow sports (including snowshoeing, if you're not a slide-down-it kindof person). And if the snow hasn't fallen (and/or if you want to drive a few hours south), there's plenty of hiking to be done.

Look at athletes -- when they play outside during the winter, they tend to use the same equipment they would during warmer months while playing, and then bundle up when they're on the sidelines.

* I was wearing an O'Neill a wetsuit, which you can buy at REI.

Me, I'll be huddling around my sunlamp wondering why I ever moved anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line, but that's Seattle for you.

Even if you're not a climber, there's a ton of fantastic hiking and exploring to do there.

I live in Canada and I like the rainy days of autumn and the cold days of winter. I feel like I have the trails almost to myself... and sometimes I do :)

If nothing else, they could go camp out at the Ren Fest that wraps up that weekend.

But the people employed by the corporation are not soulless, and clearly some of them are at least not entirely cold, because I have little doubt that this idea was conceived in good will. I'm faithful that the individuals who came up with this, who pitched it to their bosses, did so with the goal of making a political statement, and treating their workers with respect as great side-effect.

This is about being a good company who cares about their employees.

Also, you've set up a 'false dilemma' where you're assuming because the company wants to give their employees the busiest shopping day of the year off as a holiday, that they must also give them every Sunday off or else they're being disingenuous.. interpret it however you wish, but granted what I know of REI as a company this seems all in good faith and any marketing side effect however intentional does not discredit the action at all.