Online footwear retailer Zappos.com will close operations for 24 hours on Leap Day 2016 to give its employees a paid day off and spur people to #TakeTheLeap and “do something they’ve always wanted to do.”
Zappos, which is owned by Amazon.com, may have taken a page out of fellow retailer REI’s marketing book — which closed its doors on Black Friday this past holiday season, paying employees to #OptOutside instead. As part of the Zappos Leap Day closure, the company is launching a petition on Change.org for Leap Day to be declared a national paid holiday. Their goal is to get at least 100,000 online petition signers.
“For the first time ever, the always-open Zappos call center will close for 24 hours, from 9 p.m. ET on February 28 through 9 p.m. ET on February 29, 2016 (midnight to midnight Pacific time), giving all employees an opportunity to make the most of this rare occasion and inspire spontaneity and adventure for all,” officials said.
Inspired by the movement, the company said two Zappos employees, “will fully embrace the sentiment of this extra day by taking the leap into marriage on February 29.” Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh will officiate the wedding.
