Nov 17, 2009

Retail therapy for Black FridayBy Jessica WohlBlog.Reuters.com

A major shopping mall operator is offering some early holiday perks to retail workers as they handle the onslaught of shoppers on Black Friday.

For the first time, Taubman is giving out free breakfast and mini massages to the workers at its shopping centers around the United States on Nov. 27 — a.k.a. the day after Thanksgiving, a.k.a. the kickoff of the winter holiday shopping season.

The idea is that if those workers are happier – and well fed — the day can be a bit less stressful for everyone. Hand, neck and shoulder massages may also ease the stress of dealing with thousands of shoppers flocking to stores in search of gifts.

Water bottles being handed out to retail staff (shown here) are adorned with the slogan “retail therapy refresh”

“relax. take a deep breath. smile,” the bottle reads.

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