Most Wal-Mart stores to stay open overnight on Thanksgiving
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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will keep most of its U.S. stores open overnight on Thanksgiving to lessen the Black Friday frenzy that led to the trampling death of a store employee a year ago, the company said today.
The retail giant is hoping that the extended hours will prevent long lines from forming because shoppers will be able to wait inside the stores before the chain’s day-after-Thanksgiving specials go on sale at 5 a.m.
Black Friday, which falls on Nov. 27 this year, is notoriously the most hectic shopping day of the holiday season, with shoppers pushing and jostling for deals on electronics, apparel and toys. Last year, a mob of bargain-hungry Black Friday shoppers stormed a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, N.Y., trampling temporary worker Jdimytai Damour.
Some industry watchers are worried that crowds could be even more aggressive this year, as frugal shoppers have indicated they will rely heavily on discounts and specials.
In addition to keeping stores open, the Bentonville, Ark.-based chain has store-specific safety plans in place and is also planning to spread out its deals around its stores to better control crowds, company spokeswoman Daphne Moore said.
“Customer and associate safety is a top priority for us, and this year is no different,” she said.
-- Andrea Chang
Caption: Shopper America Payan buys groceries and household items with her two sons at a Wal-Mart in Rosemead. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times
