Retailers risk worker revolt with Black Thursday schedule

Jennifer Rooney, Forbes Staff

Retailers are opening earlier this holiday season, sandwiching Thanksgiving turkey between the work week and yuletide shopping as never before.

Target is opening at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, while Sears and Walmart will open at 8 p.m.

Talk of putting the customer at the center of all marketing moves is on the lips of every CMO these days. But equally important, both for brand health and consumer engagement, as we’ve seen time and again, is keeping employees committed, happy and motivated.

The risk in alienating employees is alienating shoppers, of course, and that could have a negative impact on brand.