PD Editorial: Family time and Black Friday creep

The holidays arrive this year with more than the usual fuss and folderol about Black Friday and Black Friday creep, the trend of stores starting door-buster sales on Thanksgiving itself. In a few cases, store doors are opening even before the holiday bird is fully basted.

Some chains have become so aggressive in luring shoppers that they’ve pledged to remain open continuously from Thursday afternoon until midnight Friday.

Meanwhile, other retailers are taking an opposite approach. Given growing concern for retail workers being forced to choose between keeping family traditions and keeping their jobs, chains such as Nordstorm and Costco have announced they will stay closed on Thanksgiving Day. A few, including REI, plan to keep their doors closed on Friday as well. The outdoor gear and sporting goods retailer is sending customers and employees away with the simple message: #OptOutside.

Black Friday blackouts, or at least Turkey Day brownouts, are a positive development. Those stores that are giving retail workers a break this Thanksgiving deserve praise.But let’s keep in mind a few things. First, while those retail workers who won’t be getting such a break deserve sympathy, they certainly won’t be the only ones who will be taking a shift on Thursday. Hospitals are full of workers who won’t be dining with their families either this Thanksgiving. The same is true of police officers, firefighters and utility workers. And let’s not forget those who work in hotels, restaurants, gas stations, many of whom, as with those in retail, are minimum-wage workers. Employees in a number of businesses will be working this holiday with little chance of drawing attention about their misfortune. But for many, particularly those in hospitals, patrol cars and fire stations, we should be thankful that they’re on the job.

Second, as hectic - and sometimes danagerous - as it can be working in retail on Thanksgiving and on Black Friday, some appreciate just having a job while others value the extra income that comes from working overtime. The October jobs report showed wage growth is starting to improve, but it’s been meager. Average hourly earnings have increased 2.5 percent over the past 12 months. While that’s not much to brag about, it’s the largest increase in more than seven years.

Finally, closing doors on Thanksgiving is no assurance that shoppers won’t be able to find bargains. Those can’t-miss Christmas deals are no longer tied to Thursday, Friday or even Cyber-Monday anymore. Best Buy, Amazon and Walmart have offered Black Friday-like deals since Nov. 1. Walmart’s Cyber Monday deals will go live Sunday night. One thing is for certain. The shopping won’t be stopping. But when you do, just remember to put family time first. And when in doubt, shop local.