Walmart, Best Buy and Other Stores Closing This Thanksgiving

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. Citing COVID-19 and its unprecedented effect on bricks-and-mortar retail, several chains have said they'll keep their doors shut on Thanksgiving. Here are some of the most notable.

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. The company has not yet said whether it will open on Black Friday, the deal-heavy day after Thanksgiving that has prompted shoppers to camp out on sidewalks and scuffle over coveted items. Walmart-owned Sam's Club will also be closed, as it has been in years past. Earlier this month, Walmart said it would require all customers to wear masks, regardless of state or local mandates. The policy touched off a wave of similar announcements from other retailers.

Target

Target, Walmart's primary big-box rival, will also keep stores closed on Thanksgiving. It says it will stretch out its holiday sales, making some deals available both in stores and online as early as October. It's encouraging shoppers to sign up for its free loyalty program, Target Circle, to stay up to date on promotions.

Best Buy

The nation's most prominent electronics retailer, traditionally fertile ground for stampedes over laptops and smartphones, has also decided against opening on Thanksgiving. Best Buy has pledged to fill the gap by giving customers more convenient store-pickup options, speeding up shipping for customers who order online, and "offering some of the hottest deals of the season earlier than ever."

JCPenney

Even as it struggles with store closures and financial woes related to its recent bankruptcy filing, JCPenney will forgo Thanksgiving Day sales and stay closed on the holiday. The company says curbside, contract-free pickup will be available "at all our go-forward locations" and notes that 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 has announced. Citing the "importance of safety and convenience," Kohl's is pledging to adapt to the unusual holiday shopping season and is reminding customers of alternatives to in-store shopping including curbside pickup and the Kohl's app.

Dick's Sporting Goods

All Dick's stores and distribution centers will be closed this Thanksgiving, the sporting goods chain recently announced. Sister chains Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream will be closed, too. Dick's is also extending a 15% employee pay bump through the end of the year.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond also says it will keep its doors closed on Thanksgiving this year. The decision applies to sister chains Buy Buy Baby, Christmas Tree Shops, Harmon Face Values, and Cost Plus World Market, too. Like other retailers, it is pledging to offer more convenient shopping options throughout the holiday season, including two-hour in-store pickup and contactless curbside pickup.