Sporting goods retailer REI to close again for Black Friday

NEW YORK — Sporting goods retailer REI will keep its stores closed on the day after Thanksgiving for the second straight year, even though it's one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

It will also pay employees for the day off in a campaign that encourages people to spend time outdoors.

Online shoppers can put items in their cart, though no orders will be processed that day.

CEO Jerry Stritzke says the company's decision last year gathered momentum, and it's now working with more than 200 organizations from the nonprofit, private and public sectors to spread the message on social media.

After stores opening earlier and earlier on the day after Thanksgiving, many now open on Thanksgiving itself.

But there's been a backlash, and some stores have backed away from it.

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Associated Press