Retail stores are often the busiest during the holidays especially with Black Friday right around the corner. Stores like Target, Kmart, and Wal-Mart can be predicted will be the most dangerous on Black Friday. Why? Well, the reality of it is if there’s one Plasma screen television and the latest game consoles then it might not look too merry.
The irony of it all is Thanksgiving is the day before. I mean, weren’t these crazed customers giving thanks a few minutes ago? Every year Black Friday gets a little more intense especially with door buster sales and earlier opening dates and times. A few stores like Wal-Mart have already released their prices for the week of Black Friday.
There has already been reports of individuals camping out in front of stores. Black Friday, of course, being a boost in revenue for these companies to make profit off merchandise that doesn’t sell quite often because throughout the year is expensive. Many stores will be having success, except for Wal-Mart. According to “Walmart Workers Promise Biggest Black Friday Strike Ever” by Bryce Covert, this years Black Friday isn’t going to look so great for Wal-Mart because workers that are paid below the minimum wage are promising a retaliation.
This has happened in the past two years, but this year is different. There are more protesters. Los Angeles and other large metropolitan cities. Wal-Mart employees are joining in for better working conditions and a higher pay. Wal-Mart is also already demanding that the workers return to the stores on Thanksgiving, taking away their holiday just to keep the store open for the major date known as Black Friday.
Another battle that Wal-Mart is having is over a union for the workers. Also, in Bryce article Wal-Mart employee Barbara Gertz states that organizers are expecting to see protests in 1,600 stores.Wal-Mart has had numerous problems with its workers and recently, according, to “Wal-Mart Apologizes for Labeling Plus-Size Section as ‘Fat Girl Costumes” by Kayleen Schaefer has had issues with the distribution of their young girl halloween costume line where they labeled plus sizes for girls under fat girls. Come on, Wal-Mart, get it together!
Corruption is a strong word to throw at a company, but indeed Wal-Mart has many issues to fix. I never liked the whole idea of department and retail stores celebrating Black Friday on the day of Thanksgiving because it completely throws off the meaning behind the holiday.
Not to mention it also restricts workers from having a holiday that everyone deserves. It also encourages savagery and we become corporate slaves to products. But, then again, what do I know? I am a consumer as well. Wal-Mart is notoriously known for its massive productivity on holidays and getting revenue from its sales. In all good spirits, enjoy the holidays and remember no store can replace the price of family and friendship gatherings.
Jorge Pliego
Features Editor