Wednesday, November 21, 2018

TOO COMMERCIAL (an editorial)

The following is an editorial.

It's been complained about at least as early as the 1965 holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas, but let's face the facts here folks, Christmas IS getting TOO commercial!

Now, regardless of whatever your religious beliefs might be, practically everyone has been inundated with all kinds of advertisements and come ons specifically targeted at holiday consumers.

At least here in America, the gigantic retail conglomerate that starts with a W has been promoting Christmas—or should that be Chri$tma$?—since November FIRST!
Halloween was barely over October 31 and their stores were already decorated for the big, end of the year retail push.
This same corporation also has signs up within their 24 hour "super" locations that they will not be closing until 6pm Christmas EVE!

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THANKSGIVING???
WHAT ABOUT EMPLOYEES HAVING TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES???

The sad part of all of this is that "W" is not the only retailer who will be open at least regular, if not "extended" hours, between November 21-23, making the day we set aside to officially give thanks for all we are grateful for practically a moot point, let alone leaving one to question why there is still even a "Black Friday" sales promotion to begin with.

Now, at this point within an editorial, after pointing out a problem, one should be able to offer a potential solution.
Unfortunately, I can't.
I do realize the importance of this holiday to the retail industry and what a steady cash flow means to any business in general. I can also comprehend just how much advance planning and effort go into something like this.

BUT COULDN'T YOU RETAILERS WORK ON YOUR TIMING???

Do your prep work gathering the merchandise, buying the advertising time, etc.; but don't start going all out on the decorating and announcing the promotions until the actual week OF Thanksgiving.
Let employees be with their families on Thanksgiving. You still have "Black Friday", although that is practically non-existent now with current sale policies.

Like I said, I wish I knew an answer that everyone would like and accept.
As for me, the only place I intend to be over the Thanksgiving weekend is within my own residence with my family.

Take care everybody and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Lee Houston, Junior
Editor-In-Chief, The Free Choice E-zine
21 November, 2018

The above was an editorial.

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