These Stores Are Closing for Thanksgiving This Year

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. Last year, 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 be closed — and one major chain has even announced it will never again open its doors on Thanksgiving.

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Target wasted little time saying it would keep its doors closed on Thanksgiving this year, announcing the news back in January. More recently, it said it will always be closed on Thanksgiving, reports CNBC. 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.

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These sibling chains recently said they'll open their doors at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving. By then, many Black Friday deals will be on offer, with some bargains available as early as Monday, Nov. 22. Bass Pro and Cabela's also went against the grain last year, keeping their doors open on Thanksgiving for socially distanced shopping at the height of the pandemic. 

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In a year when virtually all other major retailers have decided to stay closed on Thanksgiving, Big Lots recently announced it would open bright and early at 7 a.m. and stay open until 9 p.m. on the holiday. The discounter also says it will entice customers with a big sale: 50% off all toys. Big Lots employees who work on Thanksgiving will get overtime pay and a $50 gift card.

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JCPenney closed last year but offered new Black Friday deals each weekend in November. It appears to be following a similar playbook this year, despite having opened on Thanksgivings before the pandemic. It will re-open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday to welcome customers who want to do their shopping in person. 

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Though it was traditionally open on Thanksgiving before the pandemic, Macy's recently said it will close for the second year in a row — freeing you up to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will again welcome spectators this year. However, curbside pickup will be available at select stores, and Black Friday deals will be live online.

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Not only will REI be closed on Thanksgiving, it will also be closed on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. This will be the seventh year in a row that the company will close all its locations — 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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Joining ranks with the other wholesale clubs, BJ's is closing on Thanksgiving Day "to allow team members to enjoy the time with family and friends," according to a press release. It's not an unusual move for the company, which has been closed on turkey day for the last 15 years in order to give employees a break during the busy season. 

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Simon, the nation's largest mall owner, operates malls, lifestyle centers, and outlet malls in 37 states plus Puerto Rico, and all of them will be closed on Thanksgiving, the company recently announced. Among Simon's more notable locations: Lenox Square in Atlanta; The Domain in Austin, Texas; Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas; and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets near New York City.

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Prior to 2021, the home goods retailer had flip-flopped when it comes to Thanksgiving, choosing to close in 2018, open in 2019, and close in 2020. This year, the company will not only be closed, but will offer other employee-friendly benefits including paid parental leave for eight weeks, company-funded short-term disability benefits, and a relief fund for employees going through financial hardship. 

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Kohl’s, typically a reliable source of Thanksgiving Day doorbusters, was closed last year and is doing the same thing this year. "The decision comes after positive response from last year's closure on Thanksgiving Day, as well as evolving preferences in how and when customers want to shop during the holiday season," the company said. 

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After closing stores last Thanksgiving as a way of thanking employees for navigating the "stress and strain of 2020," the chain is continuing the tradition in 2021. Lauren Hobart, who became Dick’s CEO on Feb. 1, said in a statement, "This year, we wanted to give our teammates plenty of notice that we will be closed again, so they have the opportunity to plan for their annual traditions – whether it's participating in a fun run, watching football, or enjoying Thanksgiving dinner."

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, a decision Walmart says is partially in thanks for associates’ “perseverance throughout the pandemic.” Like last year, 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.

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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.

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The nation's most prominent electronics retailer, traditionally fertile ground for stampedes over laptops and smartphones, has again decided against opening on Thanksgiving this year. It has already been offering Black Friday prices on and off. 

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The home-improvement giant will be closed on Thanksgiving this year, just as it has in 2019 and 2020. Its Season of Savings deals are already in full swing, with new bargains weekly. 

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Staples stores will stay closed on Thanksgiving and re-open at 9 a.m. on Black Friday, the company recently said in a release. Select Black Friday deals will start Sunday, Nov. 21.