P.C. Richard & Son resists trend to open on Thanksgiving day

Farmingdale-based P.C. Richard & Son is standing firm and will not give in to the trend of retailers opening Thanksgiving night.

The chain will operate as it has in the past, with stores closed on Thanksgiving and opening at 4 a.m. on Black Friday, said president Gregg Richard.

P.C. Richard & Son’s competitors have continued to push Black Friday – once considered the kickoff for the holiday shopping season – earlier and earlier, and many are planning to start sales Thanksgiving evening.

But Richard called the trend “disrespectful” to employees and the public. “We feel it’s not the right thing to do,” he said.

Unlike other retailers, P.C. Richard & Son will offer promotions all day long and will not limit quantities of sale items, Richard said.

“We don’t see a need to have hourly specials and have people line up in the cold,” he said.