The Daily Valet. - 11/23/21, Tuesday
✔️ What's Open (and Closed) During the Holiday?
Tuesday, November 23rd Edition
I’d much rather snack than shop on Thanksgiving day.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Stores Remain Closed for Thanksgiving
This is probably a step in the right direction, right?
For many years, stores were open on Thanksgiving—allowing consumers to shop or run last-minute errands before the feast would hit the table. But then Black Friday started creeping further and further into Thanksgiving day.
The pandemic provided a much-needed pause. To limit crowds in stores, retailers last year were forced to turn what had become a weekend shopping blitz into an extended event, with big holiday discounts beginning as early as October.
That forced shift appears to have been good for business. U.S. holiday sales last November and December rose 8.2% in 2020 from the previous year, according to the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group. The trade group predicts 2021 could shatter that record, growing between 8.5% and 10.5%.
So why change things, right? On Monday, Target announced they will close their doors for Thanksgiving Day, and will continue the policy every year moving forward. “What started as a temporary measure driven by the pandemic is now our new standard,” the CEO told the New York Times.
And they’re not the only ones. Walmart has also said it would close its stores on Thanksgiving Day for a second year. Trader Joe’s and Aldi will also be closed, along with Best Buy and department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s.
I’m all for this. Not only does it give their employees some well-deserved rest, but it’s a reminder to us consumers as well that this is not another day to go out and shop. It’s a day to rest, reflect and reconnect. There are plenty of shopping days before and after Thanksgiving.
↦ Dig Deeper: Fox Business has a full listing of the stores that will be open and which will be closed over Thanksgiving.
2021 COVID Deaths Surpass Last Year
Pandemic continues to exact huge toll despite vaccines as Delta variant spreads
The number of U.S. COVID-19 deaths recorded in 2021 has surpassed the toll in 2020, according to the latest federal data. According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has topped 771,000.
The spread of the highly contagious Delta variant and low vaccination rates in some communities were important factors, infectious-disease experts told the Wall Street Journal.
The CDC figures only account for reported deaths, and it's likely that more people died in 2020 due to COVID-19 than the recorded number; 2020 coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. weren't tracked until February. New COVID infections are now on the rise in 38 states and health officials have been bracing for the possibility of a surge in cases over the winter.
Experts say the surge is being driven by a combination of factors: the seasonality of the virus, waning immunity and many still unvaccinated Americans. Despite the rising cases, fully vaccinated family members can “absolutely” enjoy the holidays together inside without wearing masks, Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN.
↦ FYI: Here's why you can't find cheap, at-home COVID tests right now.
Christmas Trees Will Cost More
That includes both real trees and artificial
In news that will shock no one by now, the prices for Christmas trees will be going up this year. Yes, whether you're buying a real tree or an artificial one, you'll likely be paying a little more for it.
Newsday cites experts saying that tree buyers will be paying between 10% and 30% more for their trees of choice.
The seeds for this—no pun intended—were planted over a decade ago. The article notes that some tree farmers opted to plant fewer trees in the wake of the 2008 recession, meaning that they have fewer mature trees now.
As for artificial trees, global supply chain issues have made those more scarce than in years past. Shipments of artificial trees have been delayed this year due to supply chain issues including a shortage of truck drivers to make deliveries. Some of the major retailers say they have about 43% of their inventory right now when it should be closer to 70% at this time of the year.
↦ FYI: According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 25 to 30 million live trees are harvested annually from a crop of about 350 million trees in farms across the United States.
Chip Shortage Boosts U.S. Manufacturing
A pandemic problem gets turned around
Manufacturers haven't overcome the worldwide semiconductor shortage. Gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 are still scarce, automakers are delivering cars with missing features, and Apple may end up producing 10 million fewer iPhones in 2021. But for a few companies, however, these supply chain woes may have an unexpected upside.
You see, the government isn't happy with how reliant the American economy and military are on Asian high-tech manufacturing. And chipmakers, salivating at government subsidies to underwrite research and new factories, and forecasting a widespread increase in chip demand, are investing like never before.
Even lesser-known American manufacturers with aging or secondhand equipment have seen a surge in sales for the legacy chips, or microcontrollers, they produce, reports Vox.
According to CNET, what began as a disastrous pandemic problem has led to a $52 billion plan to help chipmakers like Intel overhaul American manufacturing to create more chips and other tech closer to home.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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What to Wear on Thanksgiving
Our team has pulled together three fail-safe thanksgiving outfits
With a couple of days to go, do you know what you're wearing on Thanksgiving? It’s always tricky picking an outfit. What does one wear when you're getting together with relatives that you may see once a year and having awkward conversations with new family members?
As our own Leon Hedgpeth says, “This is when you can flex your wardrobe and show up your cousins or inspire the little guys around you. While you may not be bringing a dish to the table, you can certainly bring some style.”
We pulled together a few solid options, no matter what table you're headed to. Whether you're celebrating the holidays with friends, family, or your significant other's parents, we're here to make sure your outfits are tasteful—even if the food and jokes are not.
↦ Read: Three fail-safe Thanksgiving outfits to wear before dinner, during dinner and well after.
Early Black Friday Deals You Don’t Want to Miss
↦ Nomad: 30% off sitewide
↦ Dermstore: Up to 30% off w/code BLACK
↦ Boy Smells: 20% off sitewide
↦ Dockers: 40% off sitewide, plus free shipping w/code JOY
↦ Burrow: 10% off sitewide, plus free shipping w/code EARLY21
↦ Wittmore: 30% off clothing
Partner
Save Big on SeaVees Shoes
All this week you can score some great deals on SeaVees shoes. The California brand is offering 40% off their entire collection of styles and fabrications with code CYBERWHATEVER. You won't find lower prices all year. Known for their durability and comfort, the handsome sneakers feature natural gum rubber and a removable, contoured foam footbed for all-day wearability. And when the discounts are this good, you can get a pair for yourself and maybe another as a gift because who wouldn't want some?
Mammoth rugged oiled black leather boot, $188 / $112.80
SeaChange recycled vegan fleece slide, $68 / $40.80
Sun-Tans sandstone suede chukka, $140 / $84
Coronado rugged oiled leather boot, $178 / $106.80
Legend 90 evergreen heavy twill boot, $98 / $58.80
Hermosa classic linen canvas sneaker, $78 / $46.80
↦ Shop the Sale: at SeaVees
↦ Outdoor Voices: Hundreds of styles up to 50% off
↦ J.Crew: An extra 30% off sale items
↦ Outdoor Fellow: 30% off candles and diffusers w/code HOLIDAY30
↦ GREATS: 50% off select styles, plus a free tote
↦ Olivers: Up to 30% select items
↦ Brooklinen: 20% off sitewide w/code BLACKFRIDAY
Partner
Underwear That’s As Wild As It Is Comfortable
Looking for some new underwear? Shinesty is a brand that prides itself on two fundamentals: comfort above all else and never taking your underwear (or yourself) too seriously. They make some modern boxer briefs, cut from lightweight, breathable four-way stretch fabric equipped with a Ball Hammock® pouch that is designed to tackle specific needs like support and separation. But they're better known for their out-there and sometimes X-rated graphics. They would certainly make a Secret Santa exchange a whole lot more interesting. And through the end of December you can take advantage of some extra savings when you use our exclusive promo code VALETMAG10, with $10 off any purchase of $30+.
Surprise Ball Hammock pouch underwear, $25.99 / $21.99
↦ Shop the Sale: at Shinesty
Morning Motto
Today’s a new day.
↦ Follow: @thehappysnapshot
That’s all for today...
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