The phrase refers to an unscheduled interruption of the electrical supply to retail locations of a major American corporation occurring on the current date. These events can range from brief flickers to extended periods without electricity, significantly impacting store operations.
Such occurrences present challenges related to safety, inventory management, and customer service. Food spoilage is a primary concern, especially for refrigerated and frozen goods. Loss of point-of-sale systems impacts sales transactions, and the absence of lighting creates safety hazards for customers and employees. Historically, weather events like storms and equipment failures are frequent causes of these disruptions.