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Retail workers across the country can start counting their overtime pay, as stores are battling the recession by staying open for Thanksgiving. Retailers such as Wal-Mart and the Gap are keeping their fingers crossed that consumers will shell out more in holiday shopping this year than in last year’s dismal showing, and hope to increase traffic by opening one day before Black Friday kicks off the mania of the holiday shopping season. But the recession also means that markdowns will be less generous than last year, peaking around 50 percent as opposed to 75 percent in 2008. The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the high-stakes time of the year in retail—approximately 134 million Americans are expected to hit the stores this weekend, and a promising one-third of consumers surveyed recently admitted that they would probably end up spending more than expected this year. "The recession last year was a shock to the consumer. This year they are already tired of it," explained a retail analyst. "They might even reward themselves for being frugal for the whole year."
janet1003mn
I'm sure some will view this as unpatriotic and/or unsympathetic to workers who might really need the pay from an extra shift or two, but WTF? There used to be things that were sacred in this country. And by sacred I don't mean sealed with an official James Dobson's Focus on the Family gold star of freakin' approval. I mean we had traditions that bonded all of us -- in spite of all that might have separated us over the course of our typical days -- and helped define us as a single united country.
My grandparents (all four of them) were immigrants and they used to talk fondly of celebrating Thanksgiving. They spoke of "knowing they were finally really American" when they got to celebrate this particular holiday that is so hardwired into the American experience. I already received a text early this a.m. from my husband's cousin -- a Peruvian immigrant -- wishing us a Happy Thanksgiving. He's been here for more than a decade now, beginning at 17 when he came here for college, and yet he still finds today particularly meaningful. Everyone will, of course, do as they see fit, but I'll be boycotting any store that is greedy enough to be open today. Some things are just wrong. This is one of them. And I'm "voting" against it with my wallet.
If you agree, consider going a step farther: Check out the 3/50 Project, http://www.the350project.net/home.html, a movement gaining national traction to "save the bricks and mortar our nation is built on."
Here's some food for thought from their web site:
If half the employed population spent just $50 a month at locally owned businesses, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue.
For every $100 in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to your community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Only $43 of every $100 spent at a national chain returns to your community. Spend it online and NOTHING comes back.
When you're struggling to make ends meet, it's asking a lot to make conscious buying decisions that take into account other factors beyond where you're getting the best deal or what's most convenient. But the Americans I grew up with -- those tough-minded and hard-working immigrants -- were loyal to the ground on which they stood. They cared about their communities. They put their sweat into building them into something great. And by community, I mean that area in about a one square mile radius from their house. They started there. They put their energy there. Have we lost that community spirit, that concern for the well-being of our neighbors, entirely?
ptrsnake13
I agree. I liked walking around on Sundays and everything was closed. Seems most people took that day for family and/or bar-b-q's. Some may say your post sounds like you'd like us to put a wall around the U.S. and bring back traditions. If so, I'm for it. Bring back the days when Sundays were fro going over Grandmas for dinner,
Pete
janet1003mn
I don't want to put a wall around the U.S., Pete. That sounds xenophobic, which I am not. Every immigrant who's come here has added a depth and richness to our culture and made our traditions -- like Thanksgiving -- even better. For example, my sister-in-law hosted her Italian immigrant in-laws for Thanksgiving yesterday. Along with a traditional turkey feast with all the trimmings, they began their meal with a hearty serving of lasagna, because that's part of my brother-in-law's family tradition. And my Peruvian in-laws loved it! Tradition isn't some lockstep, uniform celebration across the nation, but more a jazz improvisation -- another great American tradition -- with every family (or group of friends) celebrating in their own unique way.
I just think we'd be better people if we (individually, collectively, corporately) were more thoughtful about our actions, considered how they affected not only ourselves but others and ultimately weighed their long-term consequences against fleeting short-term gain. I see greedy big-box stores that disrespect the tradition of Thanksgiving and rob their employees of a holiday, a day to spend in whatever way THEY see fit, as a national disgrace. They do permanent damage to their brand for me and those who think as I do. Is it worth it? Evidently, some company executives believe it is. So be it. I also see a community benefit -- and therefore a personal benefit -- to supporting local businesses. From what I see around me, though. I'm in the minority. The "I got mine and screw you" mentality seems pretty entrenched these days. However, I still choose to be an optimist.
We can't turn back the clock. I don't think I'd even want to. As Billy Joel sings in Keeping the Faith, "The good ol' days weren't always good..." I just think it's up to each of us to ensure that "tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems." For that we'll need a little more connection, a little more concern for others and a little less reliance on "others" to change things. As I said in my original post, I vote with my wallet all the time -- by where I shop, the charities I choose to support, the products I choose to buy, etc. And that's just financial power. We've all got more power than we realize.
sophia5
Janet - well put
I'm afraid the meaning of our country has
been perverted by the ties between
the all too powerful merged corporate and political culture,
who seem perfectly willing to OUTSOURCE all things American,
and who no longer see the The United States of America
as a COUNTRY but simply a MARKETPLACE,
and they no longer see us as CITIZENS,
but reduced to merely CONSUMERS.
Take for instance the offensive disrespect
to our Veterans by some retailers
who exploit that honorable day by having their
" Veteran's Day . . . MATTRESS SALE. "
Could anyone ever imagine a day
when retailers in this country would ever steep so
low and exploit ( 9 / 11 ) as a day to promote sales ?
I think not.
Happy Thanksgiving.
DakLak
My bank has a Help Desk in India.
They answer the telephone promptly but nothing gets accomplished ...I cannot understand one sentence of their speech.
We should outsource the bank executives and bring the essential services back.
sophia5
I'm reminded of George W. Bush immediately
after 9 / 11 when he didn't seem to talk about sacrifice
for the better good of the country . . . instead he told us
to " Go Out and Shop. "
DakLak
My Christmas shopping begins when the Boxing Day sales begin.
Over a month to plan.
Thank you.
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