
As a [somewhat] conscious consumer, I was immediately disturbed to see that Old Navy [ON] has happily announced that they will be open for shopping on Thanksgiving Day.
I'll spare you the tirade that The Man had to listen to when I heard the news but will tell you that I took further action and sent a swift letter of concern off to ON, only to quickly receive the following [clearly compliments of a public relations department that has earned their keep for the year and will enjoy the holiday at home].
"Thank you for your email regarding our
store hours for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
We know our customers often travel over
the holidays and we want to make it easy and fun for families to
shop together while visiting their destinations.
In order to provide families with the maximum amount of flexibility
on when they can take advantage of our holiday deals, we are opening
approximately 800 stores across the country this Thanksgiving."
I'll give you a minute to stop shaking your head.
I have so very many points to make in light of this response but I'll give you my top two reactions:
1) How about all of the ON employees who won't be able to travel over the holiday, much less be able to spend a little time with their families "having fun and shopping?"
2) Do the powers that be at ON really think we can't see straight through this response and read it as "due to the economic downturn we find it best to be open 365 days a year, screw you, screw the employees, we want our money."
Seriously, this is what our country has come to?! SERIOUSLY?!
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