BJ’s has confirmed what TWICE previously reported: that the No. 3 wholesale club will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
What we didn’t note is that next Nov. 24 will mark the chain’s 10th consecutive year of giving its employees the holiday off.
“We want our team members and members to enjoy time with family and friends on Thanksgiving,” said president/CEO Chris Baldwin.
But for those who feel compelled to shop on the national day of thanks, Baldwin promises “a great selection of Black Friday deals” on BJs.com.
The stores will reopen on Black Friday morning at 7 a.m. for “the best deals on electronics, exclusive toys and more,” he said, and BJs will also launch an 11-day savings event one week prior (Friday, Nov. 18), featuring exclusive in-club-only deals and dozens of doorbusters.
Extended holiday store hours will begin Monday, Nov. 28.
The discount membership chain was taken private in 2011 by Leonard Green & Partners — a private equity firm that also owned Sports Authority — and presently operates 214 warehouse-like locations across 15 Eastern states.
While market forces and consumer acceptance have forced stores to open ever earlier, BJ’s, along with Staples, is one of a small but growing cadre of national chains that are resisting Black Friday creep and giving their employees the day off. The list, said shopping advice site BestBlackFriday.com, also includes GameStop, Costco, BJ’s, Lowe’s and Home Depot, and another 30 retailers are expected to join the Thanksgiving backlash soon.
On the regional level, privately held P.C. Richard & Son will continue its 107-year tradition of putting family first, and for better or worse will keep its 66 New York area stores closed, president/CEO Gregg Richard recently told TWICE.
For those open for business on “Gray Thursday,” store hours will be pushed back even earlier, with some doorbuster promotions beginning that afternoon, predicted BFads, the granddaddy of holiday sales reveals.
