Walmart and Other Stores That Won't Be Open on Thanksgiving 2020

Something to Be Thankful For?

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. This year, they may get their wish. Many chains have said they'll keep their doors shut on Thanksgiving, citing the unprecedented effect of COVID-19 on bricks-and-mortar retail. Even before the pandemic, others were pushing back against the pressure to start Black Friday early, likely responding to public unhappiness over holiday hours or seeing an opportunity to burnish a family-friendly image. Here are some of the most notable stores that will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Walmart

That mad holiday dash to Walmart for a cheap 4K TV will have to wait. Its roughly 5,000 stores will be closed on Thanksgiving this year, a change Walmart announced in July. But the company quickly adopted a new plan, announcing it would roll out in-store and online deals throughout the month, and also open its doors at 5 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Walmart-owned Sam's Club will also be closed, as it has been in years past.

Costco

Costco's 556 U.S. locations will be closed on Thanksgiving, but be sure to check Costco.com that day for some special online-only deals. The warehouse club has been offering holiday savings online and in-store since Nov. 5. Not a Costco member? You can apply here.

Target

Like Walmart, Target will keep stores closed on Thanksgiving and is running holiday sales throughout November. Also notable this year: Target will refund you the difference if it drops the price on any advertised Black Friday deal as late as Christmas Eve.

Best Buy

The nation's most prominent electronics retailer, traditionally fertile ground for stampedes over laptops and smartphones, has decided against opening on Thanksgiving this year. Instead of starting on Nov. 26, Best Buy began offering select Black Friday prices back in October. Members of the chain's free loyalty club, My Best Buy, get early access to all the deals Nov. 16-17. Not a member? Everyone else can save starting Nov. 22. For customers who don't want to shop in store, Best Buy is offering free next-day shipping on many items as well as contactless curbside pickup. Its stores will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.

Macy's

Macy's has joined the list of retailers remaining closed on Thanksgiving this year. However, it also announced extended store hours Nov. 24-28: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. to midnight Wednesday, 5 a.m. to midnight Friday, and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. In-store or curbside pickup is available even on Thanksgiving.

JCPenney

Even as it struggles with store closures and financial woes related to its recent bankruptcy filing, JCPenney will forgo Thanksgiving Day sales in store and stay closed on the holiday. It began offering "Cyber Days" deals in mid-October instead, and is continuing that trend throughout November with new Black Friday deals released each weekend. JCPenney locations will open at 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. Curbside, contact-free pickup will be available and safety precautions include requiring customers to wear masks in stores.

Kohl's

Typically a reliable source of Thanksgiving Day doorbusters, Kohl's will also stay closed on Thanksgiving, the company announced in July. It offered an early round of deals Nov. 6-10 and also announced it would offer in-store and online Black Friday deals earlier than ever, on Nov. 22, as well as online "Super Deals" on Thanksgiving Day. Like many other stores, Kohl's will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.

Michaels

Closed on Thanksgiving this year, Michaels will reopen the day after at 7 a.m. The retailer is already offering some early deals on its website, including up to 60% off all Christmas trees.

Staples

More than 1,000 Staples stores in the United States will be closed on Thanksgiving again this year. Most locations will open at 9 a.m. on Black Friday. Staples is offering curbside and in-store pickup, free same-day delivery through Instacart Nov. 22-29, and free delivery with no minimum purchase online for the holidays.

Home Depot

The home improvement chain, which has more than 2,200 retail locations in North America, will close its U.S. stores on Thanksgiving. But Home Depot's Black Friday sale has already started online and in store, and the savings will be available through Dec. 2.

Lowe's

Lowe's, which has more than 2,200 home improvement stores across the United States and Canada, will shutter its stateside locations on Thanksgiving. Black Friday deals will begin online on Thanksgiving and be available Friday in stores.

REI

As it has in past years, REI is not only closing its 167 locations on Thanksgiving; it's also closing on Black Friday. The outdoor store pays its employees — and encourages others — to do something active instead of shopping with its #OptOutside campaign.

Dick's Sporting Goods

All Dick's stores and distribution centers will be closed this Thanksgiving, the sporting goods chain announced earlier this year (sister chains Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream will be closed too). Dick's will open at 5 a.m. on Nov. 27, and is already offering some "holiday deals" online and in store.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond also has said it will keep its doors closed on Thanksgiving this year, a decision that also applies to sister chains Buy Buy Baby, Christmas Tree Shops, Harmon Face Values, and Cost Plus World Market. The store has been offering early Black Friday deals in store and online, and recently announced it will offer 25% off entire in-store and store-pickup purchases Nov. 27-28, and 20% off online orders Nov. 26-28.

GameStop

While the gaming and electronics retailer will remain closed on Thanksgiving, it announced earlier this week that it will "have multiple sales throughout November." These include a Black Friday Countdown sale Nov. 14-21 and Black Friday Early Deals Nov. 22-25. GameStop's Black Friday event will start online on Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. CST and in stores on Nov. 27 at 7 a.m.

Gap Inc.

Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta stores all will be closed on Thanksgiving this year. The company has announced that Old Navy will open bright and early on Friday at midnight and stay open until 11 p.m.