Critics have long blasted retailers for opening on Thanksgiving, saying employees should enjoy the holiday with family instead of bracing for hordes of bargain-hungry shoppers. In recent years, largely thanks to the pandemic, they got their wish — and this year is mostly following suit.
Though a couple of chains will buck the trend, the vast majority of retailers will shut their doors. Read on for a list of which stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, along with the stores that will be open.
1. Target
Target will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. In fact, the retailer announced in 2020 that, going forward, it will always be closed on Thanksgiving.
It’s a major shift for the big-box chain, which had stayed open on the holiday for about a decade before the pandemic in an effort to accommodate deal-hungry shoppers. But shoppers’ increasing embrace of e-commerce means Target has little to lose from making the change permanent.
“What started as a temporary measure driven by the pandemic is now our new standard — one that recognizes our ability to deliver on our guests’ holiday wishes both within and well beyond store hours,” Target CEO Brian Cornell says.
2. JCPenney
JCPenney will be closed on Thanksgiving but has already started offering Black Friday deals. Find discounts on small appliances, cookware, luggage, and more.
3. Macy’s
Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving again this year, freeing you up to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The stores will open for Black Friday at 6 a.m.
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4. REI
Not only will REI be closed on Thanksgiving, it will also be closed on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. The company has been shut down on this day since 2015 — including stores, distribution centers, call centers, and headquarters — and pay its employees to spend time outside as part of its #OptOutside campaign.
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5. BJ’s Wholesale Club
Joining ranks with the other wholesale clubs, BJ’s is closing on Thanksgiving Day again. It’s not an unusual move for the company, which has been closed on turkey day for the last 16 years in order to give employees a break during the busy season.
Related: 33 Things Not to Buy at Costco, Sam’s, or BJ’s
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6. Simon Properties
Simon, the nation’s largest mall owner, operates malls, lifestyle centers, and outlet malls in 37 states plus Puerto Rico, and the vast majority will be closed on Thanksgiving. Among Simon’s more notable locations: Lenox Square in Atlanta; The Domain in Austin, Texas; and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets near New York City.
7. Bed, Bath & Beyond
In past years, the retailer had flip-flopped when it comes to Thanksgiving, choosing to close in 2018, open in 2019, and close in 2020 and 2021. This year, the company will remain closed.
8. Kohl’s
Kohl’s, typically a reliable source of Thanksgiving Day doorbusters, was closed last year and is doing the same thing this year. On Black Friday, Kohl’s will open at 5 a.m. The store did point out shoppers can visit Kohls.com anytime, including Thanksgiving.
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9. Walmart and Sam’s Club
That mad holiday dash to Walmart for a cheap 4K TV will have to wait. The mega-chain’s more than 5,000 stores will again be closed on Thanksgiving this year. Like previous years, the retailer will spread its deals throughout the month of November, both in store and online. Walmart-owned Sam’s Club will also be closed, as it has been in years past.
Related: Hacks and Secrets for Shopping at Walmart
10. Costco
Costco’s U.S. locations will be closed on Thanksgiving, a policy that remains unchanged from years past. But be sure to check Costco.com that day for special online-only deals, and look for the warehouse club to offer holiday savings online and in-store throughout November. Not a Costco member? You can apply here.
11. Best Buy
The nation’s most prominent electronics retailer, traditionally fertile ground for stampedes over laptops and smartphones, will again not be open on Thanksgiving this year. It has already been offering Black Friday prices on and off.
12. Lowe’s
Lowe’s will be closed on Thanksgiving this year, just as it has the past few years.
13. Staples
Staples stores will stay closed on Thanksgiving again this year. Black Friday deals, in store and online, have already been announced.
14. Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s has a long-standing tradition of closing on Thanksgiving. Since founder Joe Coulombe’s retirement in 1988, the store began shutting its doors on the holiday to allow employees to spend time with friends and family. Check your local branch to see when the grocery store will be open in the days pre- and post-Thanksgiving.
These Stores Are Staying Open
Not everything is closed on Thanksgiving. Here are some of the retailers and grocery stores that are keeping their doors open at all or most locations. Just be sure to check your local store for hours.
