Corporate blackmail

themuffinman16

In my area, there is a mall, and it has gained National Attention... but not in a good way.  The Galleria Mall is opening on Thanksgiving Day and is fining stores $250 for every hour they aren't open.  This is utter BS. 

   I judge stores for opening on Thanksgiving... it doesn't even make sense? Retail employees only get two holidays off a year, I don't think that is excessive. First off, opening on Thanksgiving is stupid for stores' bottom line.  Being open an extra day does not mean people have more money to spend on Christmas presents.  Every person still has a budget, so when you open on Thanksgiving Day, you are just getting the same profits, split into two days, and paying employees time and a half.  It really doesn't help their bottom line.  

   I know emergency workers never have holidays, and I am extremely grateful for their sacrifices, but retail stores do not provide an emergency service.  No one will die if the mall isn't open. Whatever, though.  I don't go shopping on Thanksgiving.  What I am really aggravated about is that the mall is fining companies who are being courteous and respectful of their employees' time with their families.  Malls never used to be open that day, so I would think the stores would be grandfathered into not remaining open.  Most of the stores can't afford these fines, and are forced to open. How is this even legal?  

lyndausvi

I'm pretty neutral when it comes to stores being open on Thanksgiving.  There are MANY people who have to work so people can spend the holiday as they wish.   I just don't care that someone wants to go shopping instead of say, skiing.   In both cases people will be working.

As far as the mall fining them.  It's all about the contract they signed.   Chick-fil-a is closed every Sunday, yet the mall is open.  It's in their contract. For the most part the contact for having a store at a certain place means you agree to be open when the mall is open.   

PrettyGirlLost

Yeah. . . that's some fucking bullshit, right there.  If it's not part of the lease agreement that the individual store owners signed in order to obtain retail space in that mall, then I don't see how the mall can make this demand.

Christmas pisses me right the fuck off anymore because retailers trot out Christmas shit earlier and earlier each year.  We all know when it happens, those of us that celebrate it are still going to buy shit- stop the madness!!  Black Friday sales aren't even that good anymore!  You can get better deals on Cyber Monday and te closer you get to Christmas anyways.

southernbelle0915

That is really shitty! No idea about legality but I see no reason it would be ILLEGAL... Just shitty.

littlemushroom

It is not just the holidays that stores are fined for not being open during mall hours. That is part of the contract stores have in general.

The Baskin Robbins I worked at would be fined on days where the opener was late or called off and the owner had to find someone to go in. That was also the reason we couldn't close early in the winter when we wouldn't have a customer from 6-10. The store was fined whenever it wasn't open during mall hours.

PrettyGirlLost

The past few years everyone is starting to be open on Thanksgiving and offering Black Friday deals a day early. . . why stop there?  Just start the Christmas retail frenzy on November 1st ><

levioosa

That's a total douche move on the mall's part.  

lyndausvi

I'm not sure about them not making money.  Or that people only have so much of a budget.     I have many Jewish friends who shop the holiday season.  They are not shopping for Christmas, just because there are good deals.   Not everyone has a budget.  A lot of people buy on impulse or buy for themselves because of the deals.  It's not all about the Christmas gift list budget.

princessofgenovia

PrettyGirlLost said:

The past few years everyone is starting to be open on Thanksgiving and offering Black Friday deals a day early. . . why stop there?  Just start the Christmas retail frenzy on November 1st ><

You want to wait all they way until November 1st? As soon as the kids are back in school...Christmas sales.

sarawifenow

That is such BS. I know that if I were a business owner in that mall, I would seriously be reconsidering renewing my lease with them.

themuffinman16

I have decided to boycott this mall for the holiday season, and shop at the other malls in the area.  The other malls might not have as many stores or be as nice as the shops in the galleria, but to me, it's worth it, to make a point. Hopefully, there are enough people like me, who feel this way to make the Mall owners change their minds.

PrettyGirlLost

princessofgenovia said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

The past few years everyone is starting to be open on Thanksgiving and offering Black Friday deals a day early. . . why stop there?  Just start the Christmas retail frenzy on November 1st ><

You want to wait all they way until November 1st? As soon as the kids are back in school...Christmas sales.

Oh right, how foolish of me!

PrettyGirlLost

themuffinman16 said:

I have decided to boycott this mall for the holiday season, and shop at the other malls in the area.  The other malls might not have as many stores or be as nice as the shops in the galleria, but to me, it's worth it, to make a point. Hopefully, there are enough people like me, who feel this way to make the Mall owners change their minds.

I found a few articles about this mall and many of the comments by other local people were the same.

themuffinman16

YAY!  BOYCOTT!!!!

chibiyui

Lol are you at my mall?

Though I talked to the Taco Bell dude today and he said they are no longer fining stores [this was like, after 3 memos] I assume that this was after a lot of bitching, especially since as a company Gamestop announced that they wouldn't open on Thanksgiving, and there is one of those at my mall.

But Srsly, mall management is a bunch of dicks. I assume that it is a job requirement.

[Deleted User]

themuffinman16

Walden Galleria in Buffalo

chibiyui

themuffinman16 said:

Walden Galleria in Buffalo

Naw, mines in PA. Shame yours is being doucenozzles.

PrettyGirlLost

chibiyui said:

themuffinman16 said:

Walden Galleria in Buffalo

Naw, mines in PA. Shame yours is being doucenozzles.

Yeah at 1st I thought it might be the hoighty toighty Galleria in Pittsburgh. . . But it wasn't.

LabLove86

themuffinman16 said:

I have decided to boycott this mall for the holiday season, and shop at the other malls in the area.  The other malls might not have as many stores or be as nice as the shops in the galleria, but to me, it's worth it, to make a point. Hopefully, there are enough people like me, who feel this way to make the Mall owners change their minds.

Unfortunately I don't think this will happen. Its a great thought and I don't think the mall should be open then - but the Galleria gets so much of its business from Canada - and Thanksgiving is not a holiday for them (not the same day it is for the US anyway) - that the people in our area who ARE boycotting won't be enough to outweigh the people that opt to shop there. 

As it is - I really only go there for specific reasons now. I used to love going there to browse and hang with my friends (yeah - I sound like I'm 17 . . . . ) but now its so busy  there that it isn't even really enjoyable for me anymore. I try to only go during the week in the middle of the day if at all possible. 

ETA - I don't like that stores are open on Thanksgiving, and I think its shitty that the mall is fining stores. I hope we will have enough people in this area boycott - I just wouldn't be surprised if we don't. 

WinstonsGirl

Interesting.   My understanding of the malls up here is that those kinds of fines are in all contracts for every day the mall is open.  When I worked retail, we had to be open if the mall was open, regardless of day or we were fined.  I believe the reasoning behind it was that if shops are closed, why would people bother coming to the mall, lowering the potential money making for all shops and eventually the mall itself.  

Thanksgiving also isn't as big up here.  Everything is open on Thanksgiving, they're just open for holiday hours (12-5).   But we also don't really have Black Friday either, though the malls are trying to push it for more cash spending.  

esstee33

PrettyGirlLost said:

chibiyui said:

themuffinman16 said:

Walden Galleria in Buffalo

Naw, mines in PA. Shame yours is being doucenozzles.

Yeah at 1st I thought it might be the hoighty toighty Galleria in Pittsburgh. . . But it wasn't.


I thought it was that Galleria too.

LadyMillil

WinstonsGirl said:

Interesting.   My understanding of the malls up here is that those kinds of fines are in all contracts for every day the mall is open.  When I worked retail, we had to be open if the mall was open, regardless of day or we were fined.  I believe the reasoning behind it was that if shops are closed, why would people bother coming to the mall, lowering the potential money making for all shops and eventually the mall itself.  

Thanksgiving also isn't as big up here.  Everything is open on Thanksgiving, they're just open for holiday hours (12-5).   But we also don't really have Black Friday either, though the malls are trying to push it for more cash spending.  

All of this. DH works in retail and has always had to work Canadian Thanksgiving because all the stores are open. Black Friday sales are big where I am but I think that's mostly because I live in a border town and the stores are trying to keep people from going cross border shopping.

WinstonsGirl

LadyMillil said:

All of this. DH works in retail and has always had to work Canadian Thanksgiving because all the stores are open. Black Friday sales are big where I am but I think that's mostly because I live in a border town and the stores are trying to keep people from going cross border shopping.

I'm getting jealous of all of you cross boarder shoppers.  The closest boarder is about 6 hours away, and the nearest decent sized US city for shopping is at least 8-10 hours.    But I couldn't imagine my passport if I lived that close, cos it'd be full pretty quick I think

larrygaga

So am just going to throw out there that the family who owns the convince store on the corner stay open every year And I always go to them when I forget something. They are amazing a

Chipmunk415

Due to budget, black friday starting on Thanksgiving, and my utter disgust at Christmas stuff appearing in September, most Christmas presents this year will be homemade.

I do however, appreciate when a place like walgreens stays open on holidays. When my dad had heart surgery 6 years ago, we got to bring him home right before Christmas. Christmas morning, he really wanted some juice. Considering his lack of appetite for the prior three days, I was happy to go find it. Walgreens was the only place open. Got him juice, and his favorite candy. He lit up excited for both.

lurkergirl

Waffle House is open 24/7/365.  It's always super packed on holidays.  In high school/early college, my friends and I would get together after our family celebrations, make ourselves hungry again, and go for a massive late night WaHo feast every Thanksgiving.

FI and have been on Xmas eve a few times, and we usually encounter an interesting (drunk) crowd that night.  And of course we leave fabulous "Merry Christmas" tips.

PrettyGirlLost

LabLove86 said:

themuffinman16 said:

I have decided to boycott this mall for the holiday season, and shop at the other malls in the area.  The other malls might not have as many stores or be as nice as the shops in the galleria, but to me, it's worth it, to make a point. Hopefully, there are enough people like me, who feel this way to make the Mall owners change their minds.

Unfortunately I don't think this will happen. Its a great thought and I don't think the mall should be open then - but the Galleria gets so much of its business from Canada - and Thanksgiving is not a holiday for them (not the same day it is for the US anyway) - that the people in our area who ARE boycotting won't be enough to outweigh the people that opt to shop there. 

As it is - I really only go there for specific reasons now. I used to love going there to browse and hang with my friends (yeah - I sound like I'm 17 . . . . ) but now its so busy  there that it isn't even really enjoyable for me anymore. I try to only go during the week in the middle of the day if at all possible. 

ETA - I don't like that stores are open on Thanksgiving, and I think its shitty that the mall is fining stores. I hope we will have enough people in this area boycott - I just wouldn't be surprised if we don't. 

Yep, and I bet the Canadians are sneaking shut back across the border and not declaring it to their customs agents in order to avoid paying the high taxes on those items. . . I tens they could buy in Canada but don't because of the taxes.

Not judging, just assuming based on what my Canuck friends tell me!

lyndausvi

lurkergirl said:

Waffle House is open 24/7/365.  It's always super packed on holidays.  In high school/early college, my friends and I would get together after our family celebrations, make ourselves hungry again, and go for a massive late night WaHo feast every Thanksgiving.

FI and have been on Xmas eve a few times, and we usually encounter an interesting (drunk) crowd that night.  And of course we leave fabulous "Merry Christmas" tips.

People go to the movies on holidays.  They go skiing, to Disneyland and Disney World, go hiking through National Parks, go to football, basketball or hockey games.  Even the Smithsonian museums are only closed on Christmas day.    

A lot of people do activities outside of the homes on holidays which require other people to work.   It's the way it is.    I'm not sure how you can do tell some businesses they are allowed to be open on holidays and others they can't?  How can the gift shop at Disneyland be allowed to be open, but not a shop somewhere else?

I will not be shopping on Thanksgiving (rarely do that whole weekend anyway).   I prefer to spend my day watching football.   Which in itself requires people to work.     The club is open for Thanksgiving so DH will be working. The club is closed on Dec 25th (the only holiday they are closed).    We plan on going skiing.  I'm sure we will hit up one of the restaurants/bars while we are there.  Again, people will be working to take care of us, which we will be appreciative.  

PrettyGirlLost

lyndausvi said:

lurkergirl said:

Waffle House is open 24/7/365.  It's always super packed on holidays.  In high school/early college, my friends and I would get together after our family celebrations, make ourselves hungry again, and go for a massive late night WaHo feast every Thanksgiving.

FI and have been on Xmas eve a few times, and we usually encounter an interesting (drunk) crowd that night.  And of course we leave fabulous "Merry Christmas" tips.

People go to the movies on holidays.  They go skiing, to Disneyland and Disney World, go hiking through National Parks, go to football, basketball or hockey games.  Even the Smithsonian museums are only closed on Christmas day.    

A lot of people do activities outside of the homes on holidays which require other people to work.   It's the way it is.    I'm not sure how you can do tell some businesses they are allowed to be open on holidays and others they can't?  How can the gift shop at Disneyland be allowed to be open, but not a shop somewhere else?

I will not be shopping on Thanksgiving (rarely do that whole weekend anyway).   I prefer to spend my day watching football.   Which in itself requires people to work.     The club is open for Thanksgiving so DH will be working. The club is closed on Dec 25th (the only holiday they are closed).    We plan on going skiing.  I'm sure we will hit up one of the restaurants/bars while we are there.  Again, people will be working to take care of us, which we will be appreciative.  

I think the outrage is that the shops should be able to decide if they want to close or not, not the mall. Now it depends on what is in the lease agreement.

chibiyui

lyndausvi said:

lurkergirl said:

Waffle House is open 24/7/365.  It's always super packed on holidays.  In high school/early college, my friends and I would get together after our family celebrations, make ourselves hungry again, and go for a massive late night WaHo feast every Thanksgiving.

FI and have been on Xmas eve a few times, and we usually encounter an interesting (drunk) crowd that night.  And of course we leave fabulous "Merry Christmas" tips.

People go to the movies on holidays.  They go skiing, to Disneyland and Disney World, go hiking through National Parks, go to football, basketball or hockey games.  Even the Smithsonian museums are only closed on Christmas day.    

A lot of people do activities outside of the homes on holidays which require other people to work.   It's the way it is.    I'm not sure how you can do tell some businesses they are allowed to be open on holidays and others they can't?  How can the gift shop at Disneyland be allowed to be open, but not a shop somewhere else?

I will not be shopping on Thanksgiving (rarely do that whole weekend anyway).   I prefer to spend my day watching football.   Which in itself requires people to work.     The club is open for Thanksgiving so DH will be working. The club is closed on Dec 25th (the only holiday they are closed).    We plan on going skiing.  I'm sure we will hit up one of the restaurants/bars while we are there.  Again, people will be working to take care of us, which we will be appreciative.  

FWIW, I don't really like that movie theaters and many restaurants are open on Thanksgiving and Christmas day either, and I even try to make sure that I have gas so I don't need to stop for that on Christmas day.

I understand that as our country becomes more secular (which I think is a good thing) Christmas and thanksgiving openingo for businesses of various sorts will become the norm.

I'm just bitching cause I want to get drunk on thanksgiving instead of dragging my ass to work.