Alpharetta REI Will Be Closed On Black Friday

By Tim Darnell

REI is not only encouraging its customers to enjoy the great outdoors on Black Friday, it’s paying its employees to do so as well.

REI’s 12,000 workers -- including those at its Alpharetta store -- will have off both Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to the company’s press release.

On Monday, the co-op stated it’s inviting residents across the country to join in by choosing to #OptOutside to reconnect with family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday.

“Black Friday is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the essential truth that life is richer, more connected and complete when you choose to spend it outside,” Jerry Stritzke, president and CEO of REI, said. “We’re closing our doors, paying our employees to get out there, and inviting America to Opt Outside with us because we love great gear, but we are even more passionate about the experiences it unlocks.”

In the past, Black Friday has been among the retailer’s top 10 sales days of the year, and the company admits that being closed on Black Friday will impact its revenue, according to CNN Money.

But Atlanta public relations professional Mitch Leff said it’s a ”great strategy.”

“It’s created a great deal of awareness of REI,” he said. “They’re encouraging employees to spend time outside which connects the announcement to their products and mission.

“From an internal communications and HR perspective it creates positive feelings among the company’s employees.”

REI has 143 stores in the U.S., including one at 7531 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta.

Customers will be able to make online orders, but the company’s homepage will also encourage purchasers to get outside on Black Friday as well.

“REI customers tend to be very local, so from a sales perspective, it’ll probably just shift sales to earlier in the week or the weekend after,” Leff said.

---

Image via REI