Comments on: Stores are staying open later (or not closing at all) until Christmas — does that really help you?

By: Rebecca Holland

Rebecca Holland — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 17:25:38 +0000

I wasn’t chiding those readers, I was just surprised by their responses since 24 hour shopping isn’t really a new thing.

I’m sorry that you’re disappointed with the blog activity on the weekends and during evenings, but most of us do check-in on our blogs (as you see) during those hours to the best of our ability. Different jobs have different requirements, and part of working for retail is making it through the busy holiday season.

By: crooked road

crooked road — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:50:38 +0000

Interesting that you chose to chide the people opposing longer hours for stores to stay open because of their concern for the employees, Rebecca. Too bad the RT blogs don’t adopt the same mindset that so many are cheerleading the stores for doing. Wouldn’t it be nice if most RT blog posts were updated more than just a couple times a day between 9 to 5, and virtually never in the evenings or on weekends?That’s something I’d like to see, and that would cause more people to check into the blogs, thus driving up potential revenue for the RT, and interest in general. Too bad that mindset hasn’t dawned on the editorial board, though.

By: LAB

LAB — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:02:51 +0000

Extending hours by a few hours is OK. Being open all night is not. That just shows me that these stores don’t care about their employees and I will not support that.

By: Rebecca Holland

Rebecca Holland — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:02:55 +0000

I can understand stores holding extended hours, but I’m not quite sold on the 24-hour deal. Of course, if it’s only for a few days a year then maybe it’s worth it. I’m sure some people take advantage of the early morning/late night hours or else stores wouldn’t continue offering them.

Most shoppers don’t seem to have a problem with Walmart and drug stores being open 24/7 throughout the rest of the year.

By: crooked road

crooked road — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:59:24 +0000

reynold, I hate to hear that you work seven days a week. I mean, you must if the only time you have to shop is not on the weekend, but late at night during the week. It must be extremely difficult for you to schedule routine vehicle maintenance. Finding a mechanic that is open after 10 p.m. is not easy.

It couldn’t be that prioritizing is an issue, could it?

As for RM’s day being ‘half gone’ by 10 a.m., if that is the case, then why worry about stores being open late at night? I mean, 9 a.m. suits you, but 10 a.m. means half the day is gone? That must be ‘new math’.

I’d love for the folks so eager for stores to remain open to their whimsy, I’d love for these folks to work those stores on that shift during the month of December. It wouldn’t take long for the perspective to shift 180 degrees.

By: jogger

jogger — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:31:37 +0000

This madness of having stores stay open for 24 hours a day from thanksgiving until xmas has got to stop…..

By: RM

RM — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:43:20 +0000

Cathy, more hours equal more jobs, just what we need in this economy. Why shouldn’t stores be focused on profits? They are not in the charity business. Profits equal more jobs. For some people late night work hours better fit their schedule.I would like to see stores open earlier year around. 9am would be good, 10 am and half the day is gone.

By: reynold

reynold — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:23:26 +0000

ya its really helpful for me.there is simple reason,in morning hours it is so busy and we can’t make better selection.in late night hours it is free and make better selection for this christmas.

By: crooked road

crooked road — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:44:36 +0000

I agree with Cathy’s perspective on retail operations being more focused on profits than employees. As for Donna’s desire for longer store hours year round, it’s pretty obvious she has not worked in retail during those hours.

A retail store could stay open 24 hours a day, and there would be SOMEONE who ‘just couldn’t get here because of my busy schedule, except at 3:30 a.m.’ That does not equate to profitable business practices, nor to employee satisfaction which DOES have a significant imprint on profitablity, despite not being listed on a balance sheet.

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:52:28 +0000

Yes! I love that the stores are open past 8 or 9 p.m.! With two children, I like to have them fed and ready for bed before the sitter comes over. This means I’m usually very rushed to drive the 20 to 30 mins. to the stores/mall and get my shopping done before they close. When they are opened later, hubby and I have time to go out to dinner and then shop. I wish they were open later all year!