• Twitter
  • Facebook
News-Sentinel.com Your Town. Your Voice.
Opening Arguments

Attention, late-night shoppers

A developing trend?

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), the world's largest retailer, is selectively trimming 24-hour service at stores, closing them from midnight to 6 a.m., the Indianapolis Star reported Sunday.

In the past year, stores in cities including Baltimore, Fayetteville, N.C., Indianapolis and Montgomery, Ala., have ended 24-hour service, the paper reported.

Too bad. I have a friend who likes to do her shopping at 2 in the morning. It goes a lot quicker, and there aren't hordes of annoying people to deal with. I seldom feel compelled to go out that late (or early, you might say), but I like the idea that I can if I have to. Alas, there are probably more people like me than like my friend, so stores probably find it costs them money to stay open all the time.

But, speaking of trends, all the brick-and-mortar stores should be careful what they do to trim costs.  Amazon.com is one 24-7, and I don't even have to brave traffic, let alone crowds.

This seems to be my day for bonuses. One of my favorite Steven Wright bits:

I went down the street to the 24-hour grocery. When I got there, the guy was
locking the front door. I said, "Hey, the sign says you're open 24 hours." He
said, "Yes, but not in a row."

Comments

Harl Delos
Mon, 10/31/2011 - 1:06pm

A self-employed computer programmer that sells online told me that he loved being self-employed, because although he worked 7 days a week, he only needed to work half-days.

And what's more, he pointed out, he can work any 12 hours he chooses.

Bob G.
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 9:59am

Leo:
Well, that should cut down on the "holiday shrink"...
(and that saves everyone money in the long run)

Quantcast