Facebook feeds and other social media are abuzz with a rumor that Simon Malls, the owner of Premium Outlets and other outlet malls around the country, will fine stores that refuse to open on Thanksgiving night for “family reasons.”
One of the posts that has gone viral claims that any store that does not start its Black Friday sale on Thanksgiving day will be fined $1,100 an hour until they open.
We Check Into the Rumor
Shoppers who step back a moment and think about the posting would probably realize that if it was true, mall stores would be fined $10,000 or more if they failed to open until Friday.
That simple math alone should make the posting sound suspicious, and ridiculous. However, people continue to forward the post to all their friends.
Simon Malls has issued a statement saying the rumor is untrue, and that it is not fining any stores.
A spokeswoman told us that if stores wish to remain closed on Thanksgiving, they have that option, and that they will not face any fine.
The rumor has been getting traction, however, because of the debate over stores opening Thanksgiving night at 5 or 6 p.m. Thousands of people have signed online petitions to “boycott Black Thursday,” and save the holiday for family time.
However, most major stores including Target, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Macy’s, Kohl’s, and the outlet malls, will open Thanksgiving evening for one simple reason: Millions of Americans will come out to shop and spend money, despite what they say. Read more of this story at http://www.newsnet5.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/will-stores-be-fined-for-not-opening-on-thanksgiving
