Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 - While many retailers will be trying desperately to get you to the mall on Black Friday, REI has a different message for shoppers: Stay away. The outdoor goods chain announced Monday that it will be closed on Black Friday this year and is encouraging would-be shoppers to instead use the day to get outside. The retailer also pledged that it would pay its 12,000 employees for the day, even though they are being told not to report to work.