Well, it’s been a year since REI asked us all to #optoutside instead of shop indoors on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Of course, since we live in Duluth, MN, we obliged. But what does year two of opting outside look like?
While REI still seems to be the only retailer intentionally closed on Black Friday for this endeavor, many businesses chose to close on Thanksgiving. The general sentiment from society is that Thanksgiving should be a time for everyone to spend with loved ones. And closing on Thanksgiving sends that message to customers. Perhaps even increasing brand loyalty in the long run.
What do you think? Is closing on Thanksgiving or Black Friday a way to connect with brand enthusiasts or just a loss of sales?
To see what we think about the #optoutside campaign, read our take on it.