Black Friday Mayhem

This was the number of steps I took working on Black Friday.
Roughly 10 miles. 

Today was what many Americans consider a national holiday: Black Friday. According to Wikipedia, " The states which have official public holidays for state government employees on "The Day After Thanksgiving" include Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin." (AKA shop till you drop day).

So in these states, government employees have the day off to more than likely participate in the Black Friday "festivities". From what I noticed, Black Friday doorbuster sales started to take place on Thursday, which is not okay with me. First it was doorbuster ads for midnight Thursday night, then 10pm, then 6pm. Now it's as early as 3pm on THANKSGIVING DAY. The day we are suppose to remember what we are thankful for.

Side note: So I am really torn about how I personally feel about Black Friday. Because of Black Friday I haven't been able to spend Thanksgiving with my family for two years now. Along with everyone else that works in retail. I also do not condone how stores are open on a family holiday. However, with that being said, these sales are insane. Families who may not have been able to afford 50" televisions and life size barbie dream houses can. Its a double edge sword.

I work at Home Depot and over the holiday season we tend to carry things that are a little out of the ordinary for a home improvement store. When I arrived at 5am to start my shift this morning I walked around the store to see tents, food processors, and cookie sheets for sale along with our typical hardware. I asked a superior why we sell this odd ball stuff? His reply, " Because it sells".

Advertising has played a huge roll in all of the hype that goes towards Black Friday. The fast talking, upbeat music, and flashing of low prices are close to hypnotizing.Trends are showing that Black Friday sales are lowering and shifting towards Cyber Monday, as well as many special deals extending before and after the initial Black Friday. Consumers no longer enjoy waiting in long lines for deals that they can snag on the internet. The sales holiday is every changing, just like the consumers.