Seattle based retailer Outdoor Research has joined in opting out of Black Friday just like REI announced they would be closing down all their stores. This somewhat answers my question to FuccboyTroy in my previous article; would this move by REI inspire any other retailers to do the same in coming years? It looks like it already has.

In a press release by OR, they stated that they will "close its corporate offices, distribution center, on-site Seattle factory and retail store, in addition to launching a give-back Instagram challenge campaign, to encourage its employees and consumers to get outside, have fun, and give back." Although it is a very similar campaign to REI's, Outdoor Research plans to take it one step further; for three days - the day of Black Friday, and the following weekend, consumers will be encouraged to take a picture of their adventures outside, and tag them with REI's #OptOutside hashtag, and #OutdoorResearch. For each 100 submissions, OR will donate $1000 (up to $5000) to Paradox Sports," which helps to improve people's via an adaptive sport communities that they can be inspired by.

Dan Nordstrom, CEO of Outdoor Research discussed the reason behind the closing. "REI's decision is monumental as our core purpose at Outdoor Research has always been to inspire more people to get outdoors and through that experience better understand themselves and our planet."

Good on you OR! It will be very interesting to see who plans to follow in the footsteps of REI's "monumental" decision like Outdoor Research did today. Who else do you think will #OptOutside this Black Friday?

Source: Pitch Engine