This is the fourth consecutive year that this move has been made.
LL Bean, an outdoor lifestyle company, is once again going “off the grid” this May to observe and honor Mental Health Month, partnering with Mental Health America.
While LL Bean’s over 60 stores across the country will remain open, the company’s social media accounts will be inactive.
According to a press release, there will be no posts or interactions with customers because the company wants “to encourage people to stop scrolling and join them in prioritizing time outside.”
The social media cleanse for LL Bean began on May 1 and will continue until June.
Its website and online purchase orders continue to function.
“LL Bean and Mental Health America are inviting people to rediscover the restorative power of the outdoors again this May,” according to the announcement.
The brand also cited a Mental Health America research study, which found that 79% of Americans believe spending time in nature improves their mental health.
Researchers discovered that the benefits were nearly equivalent to getting enough exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
It also reduced stress while improving creativity and self-esteem.
“Connecting through nature provides an equal opportunity to connect in ways that can be done independently…” according to the results described.
PURPOSE DRIVEN
It also stated that going outside “provides a structure that helps us learn how to meet and spend time with others.”
These findings are consistent with LL Bean’s mission, according to Shawn Gorman, executive chairman of the board and great-grandson of the retailer’s founder, Leon Leonwood Bean.
“At LL Bean, we believe we are at our best when we are in nature, and through our ongoing partnership with Mental Health America, we are creating more opportunities for people to experience the proven benefits of time outside in May and beyond,” Gorman told reporters.
In 2022, LL Bean became the first national retailer to suspend all social media activity for Mental Health Month.
Stores closed on Memorial Day
Since Memorial Day is a federal holiday, many Americans have the day off work.
While most grocery stores and retailers remain open, there are some exceptions
Costco is closing all stores for the whole day.
So is Natural Grocers, which has 168 stores across 20 states.
Postal services are also affected by the holiday.
All UPS locations will be closed.
FedEx will close many locations, while others will operate with reduced hours.
T.J. Maxx is also operating with different holiday hours that will vary by location.
Aldi will follow suit with “limited hours.”
Sam’s Club has announced that stores will shutter two hours earlier than normal at 6 pm for the upcoming holiday.
Target and Kroger will also have adjusted hours but will remain open.
CLOSING TIME
American consumers should be aware that some stores will close in the coming weeks.
Costco, for example, will close its over 600 stores nationwide for 24 hours on Memorial Day, May 26th.
Thousands of shoppers will have to go elsewhere for their groceries.
Natural Grocers, which has 168 locations in 20 states, is another notable retailer that will be closing on Memorial Day.
Certain services will also be unavailable.
All UPS and USPS locations will be closed on May 26.
Other companies are permanently closing locations this year as a result of bankruptcy.
Forever 21 recently filed for its second bankruptcy and is closing 350 stores.
A sneaker chain filed for bankruptcy in March and will be down to one store.
