The following report is by Robb Report:
Some of the country’s largest shopping centers are staying closed on Thanksgiving. But not all of them.
The United States’ biggest mall owner, Simon Property Group, confirmed to FN that it will keep all of its locations closed on Nov. 24, or Thanksgiving Day, this year, with the exception of two properties in Las Vegas: Forum Shops at Caesars and Shops at Crysals.
The announcement marks a break from the company’s policy for the last two years in row , which involved closing all properties on Thanksgiving Day. In 2020, chairman, president and CEO David Simon said that the company decided to not open to properties to allow “associates to spend the holiday with their loved ones.”
As of June 30, the company owned or held an interest in 198 shopping centers in the United States, consisting of 94 malls, 69 Premium Outlets, 14 Mills, six lifestyle centers, as well as 15 other retail properties across 37 states and Puerto Rico.
This year, Walmart and Kohl’s have also said that they will be closed for business on Thanksgiving this year. Target last year announced a decision to close business for good on Thanksgiving every year. And REI Co-op said it will close its stores on Black Friday permanently.
Before the pandemic, Thanksgiving had become synonymous with getting a head start on holiday gifting ahead of the Black Friday rush. However, an increasing number of nationwide chains made the decision to dim their lights or give their employees that day off amid the COVID-19 health crisis in 2020. Since then, retailers have offered markdowns via online channels to encourage customers to do their shopping from the comfort of their own homes.
SEE: The Future Of Shopping Malls
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
I mention this because this news does not have to do with Covid: that has not bothered people, save a few maskaholics here or there, for most of this year. This is financial: the costs are becoming too much, on top of consistent labor shortages, supply chain issues, and energy shortage fears, and that the consumer is flat broke.
This demonstrates the continued trend of where malls and large shopping centers are headed: abandonment. Hence also why they are promoting ordering online instead: a necessary tenet of smart city life by 2030.
I also mention this because I am sure some deluded false prophet is going to grab ahold of this, and proclaim that America is returning to righteousness by not desecrating Thanksgiving. Far from it: the consumer is broke but its addiction to spending is not.
[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Maybe it’s the spectre of a mob of vaccinated zombies rushing and stampeding to get into the doors for all those “sales” of garbage they really do not need that is making them shut down for Thanksgiving. I would think at least what is left of the boomers have long wised-up and tossed that ritual, and stay away from these shopping malls on Thanksgiving weekend. There’s been enough stampedes this past year anyway.
Wise points, Liz.
I’ve seen Black Friday footage, and it is so unsettling how these Americans will stampede and rip the doors off of their hinges and they’ll get into fistfights, taser, pepper spray, even shoot or stab others for an Xbox, a PlayStation, a TV, a Blu-ray player, or whatever for 60 percent off or whatever it is.
God DONT Bless America!
I guess I am a golden oldie, I remember everything was closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day. I know, I know that was so 20th century.