Black Friday Blues

Thanksgiving is just aroud the corner. You know what that means: Over next couple of days we will be inundated with ads on the television and radio with incredible deals and unbelievable savings on merchandise that would normally cost you 40-60% more if you shopped at more sane hours.

Thanksgiving 2011 looks to be one of the more exciting and interesting periods in the retail industry. Stores are not only hoping the Chri$tma$ Season will help their bottom lines but some stores are opening on Thanksgiving Night.

We all know the driving motivation behind opening doors hours before the normal time. Stores everywhere count on the Holiday Shopping season to help turn a profit. The economic doldrums that have been hanging on for three years and counting have hurt stores' bottom line. Hence the "need" to get a jump on the jump on the shopping season.

I feel bad for the retail employees. Unless you work in management, you will never earn what you are worth. The employees have every right to spend and enjoy the holidays with their families like everyone else. If a store is going to open at 10:00 p.m., it does not mean a clerk will have to show up at 9:50 in order to be ready for the madness. They will have to be at the store at a time closer to 8:00 to be ready. Figure time for a nap so they can be up all night, then time to wash up, change and hit the road so they can get to work.

The Holidays are a time to spend with your family. They are not a time to be at work and to figure out when a quick meal can be squeezed in before making your shift.

The stores are putting out great deals and opening as early as they can in order to entice shoppers and their money. These stores have had well over 300 days to give customers a great deal on merchandise and bring in some cash. If stores had good deals the entire year, they would not have to open up in the middle of the night. Offering sales and bargains throughout the rest of the year will mean more money for stores and shareholders. Customers will get what they want and employees will feel a little more appreciated and better about their job, which means they will be happier to help.