COVID-Inspired Holiday Closure Tradition Maintained by Walmart

Shoppers seeking last-minute Thanksgiving deals will need to turn to alternatives as major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and Home Depot, will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day. The closures, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, have now become a yearly tradition aimed at allowing employees to spend the holiday with their families.

Key Highlights:

• Walmart’s 5th Year of Closure: Walmart will close over 4,600 stores on Thursday, November 29, following its policy of shutting doors on Thanksgiving. The tradition started after a Texas employee suggested the change, with CEO John Fuller emphasizing the importance of family time for workers.
• Other Retailers Following Suit: Target, Costco, and others have aligned with this practice, giving employees a day off while preparing to reopen for Black Friday sales.
• Open Alternatives for Shoppers: For last-minute needs, stores like Kroger, Walgreens (24-hour locations), Meijer, Dollar General, CVS, Whole Foods, Big Lots, and Family Dollar will operate with limited hours.

This shift reflects a growing trend among retailers to prioritize employee well-being during the holidays while preparing for the shopping rush on Black Friday.