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Outdoor Sporting Goods Store REI Won't Be Open On Black Friday

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Outdoor sporting goods store REI says it will be closed on Black Friday in an unprecedented move by a retailer.

REI says it wants its customers to spend more time outdoors on that day and share what they're doing via social media using the hashtag #OptOutside.

"Any retailer that hears this will be startled by the idea," said REI President and CEO Jerry Stritzke, according to USA TODAY.

Stritzke added: "As a co-op ... we define success a little differently. It's much broader than just money. How effectively do we get people outside?"

The company says it won't even process orders until Saturday.

REI has 29 stores in California, including 12 locations in the Southland.

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