“Black” Nature

Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Months before the “iconic” shopping event, provide sneak-peaks of their latest and greatest deals and doorbusters for the event. For several years in high school, I worked at a clothing store within the local mall. With working retail and working numerous hours as the holidays approached went hand in hand. I worked for the company for three years. Each year requiring me to miss parts of Thanksgiving to fulfill society’s need for stuff. Frequently, I had to miss spending time with family to satisfy society’s obsession with consumerism.

Years later, a popular outdoor retailer is calling for ‘black’ nature. Outdoor gear and sporting goods retailer REI is cancelling Black Friday this year with no promotions, no hourly sales, no doorbusters, and no waiting in line. The retailer is closing all 143 store doors the day after Thanksgiving. REI is taking direct aim at society’s consumerism that dominates the holiday season. REI is trying to convince consumers to start a new Black Friday tradition that does not involve buying anything and instead includes spending time in the great outdoors. REI is promoting the hashtag #OptOutside to share what they are doing on Black Friday on social media instead of shopping.

I congratulate the company trying to push consumers outside of the traditional holiday season craziness.  The holiday season is the perfect time of year to spend time with family and the great outdoors; building snowmen, playing football, or going on a hike in the snow.

Time for a new holiday: “Black” Nature

Read the original article on: http://www.wzzm13.com/story/money/2015/10/26/rei-closing-on-black-friday-for-first-time-in-its-history/74627872/