REI to Close Its Stores on Black Friday Permanently

October 4, 2022

After closing its doors on Black Friday every year since 2015, the annual practice, dubbed “Opt Outside,” was launched as a way to allow workers to spend time with family and friends during the Thanksgiving Day weekend and encourage shoppers to spend some time outside. This year, the program has officially been instated as a permanent benefit to employees, with REI closing all stores, distribution centers, activity centers, call centers and headquarters on Black Friday every year. FN