Sporting Goods Store To Pay Employees To Enjoy Outdoors On Black Friday
LOS ANGELES — For 13 straight years, energetic REI store manager Nikki Mashapure spent her Black Friday in the retail trenches, trying to keep from being overrun by invading shoppers at work.
But the day after Thanksgiving this year, the mother of three young daughters and her husband are going hiking — and she’s getting paid.
REI is closing all 143 of its sporting goods/outdoor outlets nationwide, including Mashapure’s Woodland Hills store, and paying almost 12,000 employees to enjoy the outdoors as part of its #optoutside campaign.
“Get outside and escape the crazy frenziness that is Black Friday in the world of retail,” Mashapure explained.
“So we really want to extend the family feeling and whole concept that is Thanksgiving and carry that into the next day in instead of going out into the retail madness.”
Four other REI Woodland Hills employees shared opt outside plans that include running, mountain biking, mountain climbing and rock climbing, the last a fitting admission from Mark Stallings as he’s perched on a tall ladder accessing stored items.
The opt outside enthusiasm seemingly spread along trails to California’s state parks.
The Save the Redwoods League and 49 state parks in Northern California are combining to offer free admission passes on Black Friday.
The state reports at least 30 of those parks are sold out for Friday.
“It’s just a great opportunity for us to jump on the social media bandwagon and tell the public state parks are a great place to spend a holiday” said Dana Jones of the Northern Division California State Parks. “Get people to see our parks, show what you have in your neighborhood.”
Source: CNN