Do you think that stores should be open all the time?

Question

I work in the retail sector and find that, no matter how late you are open, there will always be someone who isn't satisfied with the amount of hours you are open. When I worked in my last job, we were open Mon to Sat 9am to 10pm and Sundays and holidays 10am to 8pm and closed only 2 days a year. This was apparently not good enough due to the fact that the company I was working for wanted to open another day (New Year's Day) as well. Is the world so consumed by immediate gratification that stores have to be open all the time? I know it's convenient, but what about the families of the people who have to work? Sure, it creates jobs, but I am sure it also destroys families. Very often the people making these hours are corporate types sitting in their nice office getting off work at 5pm each day, no evenings, weekends or holidays. I guess the almighty dollar is the final decider in this equation. Does anyone else feel like this is crazy?

I have to agree with the European way of doing things. Amazing how things still manage to continue running over there when people actually can't go out shopping. Seems people do the unthinkable and actually spend time with their families and friends. Entertainment doesn't have to be 'going to the mall'. Imagine!

Answer 1

I am only in my 30's and I remember when everything closed up at 5pm on Sundays and 9pm on weekdays and EVERYTHING was closed on holidays. Yes, it is ridiculous to be open all the time, Nobody needs something that bad that a store has to be open at all times. When a holiday was coming up, we did the common sense thing and went shopping before the holiday and if we forgot something...then oh well, apparently it wasn't that important!

Answer 2

I dont think that all stores should be open all of the time. That is what internet shopping is for. I do however think that each chain store should have one centrally located store that IS open 24 hours. 1 Staples, 1Lowes, 1 Home Depot etc. Sometimes you need a printer cartridge to finish work late or a wrench to fix a busted pipe after 9:00 and you shouldnt have to pay a bend over price for them. I had an allergic reaction to some thing and had to drive 8 miles and pay 9.00 for benadryl when i have a Walgreens less than a block away but they were CLOSED:-(Holidays should be OFF LIMITS

Answer 3

In Europe, people work less, have more vacations, eat better food, and live longer. I doubt their stores are open all day, every day. Not that you could convince everybody in the US that we should be more like Europe, but I don't think it would be a bad idea. If stores are only open part of the time, it limits how much you can shop, which limits the amount of money you spend, which limits how much you have to work to make the money you spend. So don't work as much and don't spend as much. Simple, right?

And I don't know that every decision on how long a store is open is made by corporate types. I bet a lot of decisions are made by totally insane super-employees who have no lives and don't mind working 85 hours a week with no overtime. Some of my bosses would *live* at work if they could. So lame! But even corporate types are trapped at work an awful lot, too. Everybody's working more hours for less pay, less benefits, less job security. So since they're so miserable at work, they're eating more (more obesity), exercising less (too tired from work, but not too tired for cardiovascular diseases), and spending more (hey, gotta have gratification somewhere!) It's a horrible way to live. We need to break this cycle so it doesn't kill us all.

Answer 4

I think it's aweful for people in the retail trade.
When I was growing up NO stores were opened on Sunday, and every other day they was closed by 6pm.
I wish there was no Sunday trading again, although it is convenient for people with the shops open late, I think it puts undue pressure on retailers. They deserve time off too.
I never shop on Sunday, but it seems thats one of the busiest days of the week , the lots are always full when I drive by.
I think a more reasonable closing time wouldnt go amis either,we've gone nuts in our Consumerism....it's not like we would shrival up and die if the stores arn't open, and if you are stuck for something, theres always 7/11.
The only thing I agree with opening later is Pharmacys for emergency prescriptions.

Answer 5

OMIGOD I can totally sympathize with you. I worked in retail for years, and now im a hairstylist. I try to accomidate my clients as much as possible, but they dont seem to realize that when they get off work and want their hair done, I also have been working all day. You can never make everyone happy and I know that I would never want to work every holiday, or nights in a retail job. It isnt important for stores to be open all the time, like honestly there are more important things in this world.

Answer 6

Oh, don't get me started! I've worked 4p-1am the last 4 Thanksgivings. So, yeah, I have not been to Thanksgiving dinner with my family in four years.

And don't think people would act any different on a holiday. I am assistant manager at a home decor store, and our customers *love* to rip open bags of bedding, curtains, etc. I mean, there is a picture on the bag - with the dimensions!!

Answer 7

I agree with you completely. Special occasions shouldn't be spent spending money at other people's expense, if that makes sense. I understand if you r traveling or something and need something, but thats not usually the case. People should plan their time so they dont need to come in on special occasions. I think family life and values are deteriating slowly but steadily, and this is just one of those factors which contributes.

Answer 8

I think it is terrible. Those corporate leaders would have much happier employees that work harder if they were to listen to the advice you are giving.

Answer 9

for consumer is fine for shop owner it's a drag

Answer 10

No, Money is the deciding factor.