Walmart storefront.Photo: Gene J Puskar/AP/Shutterstock
It’s considered to be the biggest shopping weekend of the year, but these stores will be going dark ahead of Black Friday.
This year, various U.S. retailers and big-box stores are opting to close their businesses onThanksgivingDay, despite their typical preparations forBlack Friday’s shopping madnessthe following day.
Target was one of the first stores toissue a statement in Januarythat its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving. The company closed their stores in 2020 to reduce crowds and make their customer’s shopping experience less stressful. Due to the positive response, they are carrying the same measure forward this year.
In June, Walmart also announced thatall its store locations will be closedon the national holiday for the second year in a row. The purpose of the closure on Nov. 25 is to serve as a “thank you” to Walmart employees for their commitment and hard work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“Throughout the pandemic, our associates have been nothing short of heroic in how they have stepped up to serve our customers and their communities,” said Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Walmart U.S. “Closing our stores on Thanksgiving Day is one way we’re saying ‘thank you’ to our teams for their dedication and hard work this year. We hope everyone will take the opportunity to be with their loved ones during what’s always a special time.”
Best Buyannounced their closure soon after Walmart. “This year, we’ll have even more ways for customers to easily and conveniently get their holiday shopping done, over the Black Friday weekend and throughout the entire holiday season,” Best Buy spokesperson Keegan Shoutz toldUSA Today.
Various malls across the country will also be closed on Thanksgiving this year.Simon, one of the largest mall operators in the U.S.,has announcedits shopping centers, malls and properties will be closed on Thanksgiving Day this year.
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Below is a list of businesses that will stay closed on Thanksgiving Day, and stores that will remain open. And check locally before heading out to shop post-dessert;in Chicago, for instance, Brookfield will be keeping their malls closed.
Stores confirmed to be closed on Thanksgiving:
Stores that will remain open on Thanksgiving (be sure to confirm with your local store for specific hours of operation):
source: people.com
