Outdoor lifestyle retailer and co-op REI is once again closing its 149 stores on Black Friday for the return of its celebrated "#OptOutside" program. Last year, REI made marketing history when it decided to suspend its retail activity, including online sales, on the most popular shopping day of the year while continuing to pay its more than 12,000 employees so they can have a day to enjoy the outdoors.
For 2016, more than 275 national and local organizations, including a handful of brands, have officially teamed with REI to back the "Opt Outside" movement. "We really want people thinking about the Friday after Thanksgiving differently," said REI Chief Creative Officer Ben Steele. Last year saw 1.4 million people participate and according to their website nearly 1.9 million people have already chosen to #OptOutside on Black Friday.
I wrote about this last year and I still love the idea! I'm not a Black Friday shopper and I definitely love the outdoors! Go to REI's website and create your own #OptOutside photo to share!
Our plan for this year is to go to beautiful Yosemite on Black Friday. The forecast is a little sketchy - yesterday it showed snow, but that changed, so we're hopeful. Even if we can't make it to Yosemite we will have our bikes with us (we plan to ride on Thursday before our meal) so we can ride at lower elevation if necessary.
What about you? Will you #OptOutside? #ShopTilYouDrop? or a little of each?
I will be working. I think we're having a Black Friday special at the clinic. My schedule is already full....
ReplyDeleteBummer! At least you don't have to deal with the crazies at Walmart, right?
DeleteThat is true. Will there be a lot of crazies at Yosemite?
DeleteIt's usually not too bad. We may get snowed out this year. Rain and snow are in the forecast several times this week. We'll still have our bikes and can ride locally but I'll miss Yosemite.
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