Radioshack has backtracked on a plan to open all day during Thanksgiving after an outcry from staff.
The retailer previously planned to open from 8am until midnight, but will now close between midday and 5pm, a move that will now give staff more time with their families on the holiday.
In a memo to employees seen by Bloomberg, Radioshack chief executive officer Joe Magnacca said: “We understand the long operating hours posed potential issues with personal scheduling. Therefore we have created an adjusted schedule that will eliminate that concern and still capture the opportunity in the marketplace.”
One store manager told Bloomberg that due to the short notice given to staff, some members have now resigned.
According to the memo, Magnacca cited data showing that most Black Friday weekend sales came on Thanksgiving.
Most major US retailers now begin the holiday shopping season on Thanksgiving Day, ahead of the traditional “Black Friday” start on 28 November. Radioshack’s plan for Thanksgiving was one of the more aggressive opening plans. Last year, most of its stores were closed on Thanksgiving.
Toys R Us and JC Penney both plan to open at 5pm on Thanksgiving, while Sears, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Belk, Walmart and Staples will open at 6pm.
The holiday season will be key for RadioShack, at the company recorded widening losses over the second quarter and it hopes turnaround plans will gain traction. The company reported a net loss of US$137.4m over the quarter ended August 2, compared to a loss of US$56.2m in the same period of 2013.
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