Kmart is breaking its own record this year by staying open 42 hours continuously over the Thanksgiving holiday — last year they stayed open for 41 consecutive hours — by opening at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving. From the Huffington Post:
A Kmart and Sears spokesperson told The Huffington Post in an email that stores will be staffed by seasonal associates and workers who volunteered to work on the holiday, both of whom will be compensated with “holiday pay.”
“This holiday season is all about giving more to our members and because many like to start shopping well before Black Friday, we’re excited to open our doors early on Thanksgiving and offer other early access opportunities for them to shop and save,” Leena Munjal, senior vice president for Sears Holdings, said in a statement on the company’s website.
I’ve heard the argument that for retail workers struggling financially, working on a holiday and earning holiday pay can make a difference with their own holiday budgets, but it still feels icky to me. If you’re privileged enough to not have to work on Thanksgiving, then please stay home and enjoy spending time with your family. After all, that’s what Cyber Monday is for. Wouldn’t you rather stick it to your boss than the poor sap who has to miss out on cranberry sauce to ring up your new high-definition TV? It’s the American way, dammit.