Gap Inc., owner of the Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brands, said Tuesday that some 1,000 of its stores will be open on Thanksgiving day this year.
This isn't a first for Gap, which has previously had stores open on Thanksgiving. The retailer has struggled with anemic sales and a flagging brand identity, and recently announced it will close about a fifth of Gap brand stores in the U.S.
But this Thanksgiving will be all about generating sales on a day when most Americans will be home gorging on football and turkey.
Gap said Tuesday that about 80 percent of its Old Navy stores will be open on Thanksgiving, with the rest opening at midnight on Black Friday. For Gap stores, 116 of them will be open during the day and about 200 will open at midnight Friday. Some 30 Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory stores will be open on Thanksgiving, and 250 will open at midnight Friday.
Company officials said their customers want the early openings - and want a place to go on Thanksgiving to get away from celebrations.
“Our customers have given us terrific feedback about the option of getting a head start on their shopping on Thanksgiving Day,” said Tom Wyatt, Old Navy's president, in a statement. “It’s a fun environment for the whole family, and a welcome excursion for those looking to get ahead or take a break from the holiday festivities. This is a win-win for our brand and our shoppers alike.”
I feel sorry for the GAP employees that won't be home with family on Thanksgiving. What a stupid idea. I hope noboby visits a GAP on Thanksgiving. I know I won't. (I'll be home with my family.)
ReplyDeleteIf you have nothing better to do than go shopping on a day we should be spending with family and refecting on all our blessings, I'll add you to my prayer list.
ReplyDeletefabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteYou know, previous generations didn't get everything right, but they did do a lot of things the right way. Makes me sound old now, but it wasn't that long ago in my youth that the only stores you could find open on Thanksgiving and especially Christmas was the occasional gas station. It's all changed, and not for the better.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be alone this Thanksgiving, Timothy Whitson, am I going to be in your prayer list too? >_>
ReplyDeleteProbably catch a movie that day, but not planning on shopping.
Crass commercialistic corporate greed at its worst.
ReplyDeleteGAP's losing business on a daily basis. Do they think being open on Thanksgiving is going to save them? If so, they're sadly mistaken.
Total disregard for employees who want to spend time with friends and family. I'd call in sick before I'd ever work on Thanksgiving.
This shows who the real turkeys are on Thanksgiving.
WashuOtaku, I will definitely say a prayer for you. I'm sorry for whatever reason you don't have a family to be around on this day of family thanks. I spent many days away from my family as I worked in Emergency Services and Nursing, and I am thankful in my later years to have the time to spend with them. I would never consider shopping to be a priority on this day.
ReplyDeleteWashuOtaku: I've been alone on a couple of Thanksgivings in my lifetime. It's not much fun. Do take in the movie, but boycott the retails stores. I'll pray for you and others who are alone.. on any day. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't purchased anything at any of the Gap (horrible selection), Banana R (way too pricey considering how much they really pay for that abroad) and ONavy (?! Rather go shopping at a Salvation Army). And I agree with most posters that whoever made this decision to open on TG must be so disconnected from the struggles of everyday families. More so people with enough $$$ do not go on shopping sprees on a day that is one of the few breaks we get from consumerism (and I know we still consume on food, etc but I assume you get my drift). Terrible, terrible choice, and I for one will not buy one single item from any of these stores in a long time, probably until a I hear some heads atop rolled b/c in insensitive measures such this one. Fail!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of maybe two days, that most retail is closed, the other being christmas and I find it a little sad that for two days a year, we can't do something with our familes and friends without needing to go shopping or the like. If I was alone then maybe go to a park, take a walk, just be at peace from the normal dashing around. Maybe that is just me, but seriously!? These retail stores need to stop being open on Thanksgiving, before it becomes just like the other 363 days of the year that most retail is open.
ReplyDeleteI am a Gap Inc employee and havent been able to spend time with my family on thanksgiving for two years, this will be my third. I would rather be home with my loved ones. If you must shop on thanksgiving, please be nice to the employees. They deserve your respect because they have given up one of the most important days of the year for you to have half off sweaters.
ReplyDeleteHere's a complete list of the stores open on Thanksgiving Day in 2011... http://retailindustry.about.com/od/employeehiringtraining/a/2011-Complete-Black-Friday-Thanksgiving-Store-Hours-Shopping-Times-List-Nov-24-25_2.htm This is the most uncluttered and accurate list of 2011 Thanksgiving Day store hours to be found!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely taking advantage of the great black friday sells. My family is coming with me, and we will be saying prayers and thanking the Lord! Having my cake and eating every piece of it! Ilove the holidays! Just don't give thanks on Thanksgiving, make it a daily thing!
ReplyDeleteI will do everything I can to persuade people thAt I know not to shop at any of your stores on Thankskgiving day, Wake up folks, aren't you even concerned about what American is becoming.
ReplyDelete