Black Friday means open stores and too-empty tables

H&M recently announced all of their stores will be closed. Wal-Mart says something to the effect of, “But we’ve opened sales earlier so that people don’t have to shop on Thanksgiving”. (And outdoor retailer REI, which just opened a store in West Des Moines, pulled off a PR coup by closing its doors on Black Friday and calling on people to enjoy the world’s wonders that lie beyond the malls.) But don’t be fooled: Despite the popular outcry over Thanksgiving Day store openings, more than enough shoppers showed up a year ago to keep the trend going.

And don’t expect to buy books at Barnes and Noble on Thanksgiving. “I think what folks have started to realize is, ‘We can garner a few goodwill”.

If the future of Thanksgiving truly is to be more focused on giving thanks than the misgivings of long-deceased settlers, then maybe we should be spending the holiday at home being truly grateful for what we already have instead of in the stores looking for the next best stocking stuffer.

Penney’s move seems to be an attempt to grab the attention – and wallets – of a dwindling number of Thanksgiving Day and weekend shoppers.

“I think it’s nice that employees get the chance, having worked in retail, that it’s a good thing they get to spend it their families unless they need the extra money”, said Sherri Holland.

Black Friday is turning increasingly grey but it’s not for the lack of trying to stay relevant. REI stores will be closed and its website will postpone digital orders made on Friday.

With both the traditional Thanksgiving experience and this retail blitz competing to dominate the holiday, FindTheData wanted to look at everything from turkey consumption to total Black Friday sales to see the facts surrounding how we celebrate Thanksgiving.

As for most of the locally owned businesses in town, they will be closed.