Outdoor Research follows REI, to close on Black Friday

Dive Brief:

REI shocked the retail world this week with its announcement that it would close not just on Thanksgiving Day, but also on retail power-selling day Black Friday.
Now Outdoor Research, another outdoor gear retailer based in Seattle, is following suit. The retailer is owned by former Nordstrom CEO and Nordstrom heir Dan Nordstrom, who calls REI’s move “monumental.” The retailer is asking customers and employees to use or follow the #OptOutside hashtag launched by REI and add a #OutdoorResearch hashtag to their social media posts documenting their activities during Black Friday.
In addition to closing its operations and encouraging employees and patrons to spend the day after Thanksgiving outdoors, the retailer is asking employees to donate to Paradox Sports, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities enjoy outdoor activities. For every 100 photos posted with the hashtags, the company will donate $1,000, up to $5,000.

Dive Insight:

When REI took the retail world by storm this week with its announcement that it would give its employees paid time off on Black Friday rather than take advantage of the day’s focus on shopping, many observers pointed out that a privately owned outdoor gear retailer may have a lot less to lose by the move than many others.

That observation applies to Outdoor Research's copycat move as well. But, even though so far it’s just two (privately held, outdoor gear) retailers doing this, it’s so profoundly anti-retail that it does practically feel like a movement. Plus, the fact that the move is coming from someone with the retail pedigree of Dan Nordstrom gives it particular weight.

Certainly it makes the idea of being open for business on Thanksgiving Day that much more cynical.

“REI’s decision is monumental – our core purpose at Outdoor Research has always been to inspire more people to get outdoors and through that experience better understand themselves and our planet,” Nordstrom said in a statement. “The REI campaign resonated powerfully for us because it aligns with our own values. It’s an easy decision to join with REI employees and get outside on Black Friday, as well as use the opportunity to raise money for a great organization like Paradox Sports.”