For the better part of a decade, major retailers like Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Macy’s and Best Buy courted shoppers (and controversy) by opening their doors on Thanksgiving. This trend started in 2011 with midnight opens — and retailers then kept pushing the envelope, opening earlier every year. In 2019, JCPenney opened at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and Walmart opened at 6 p.m.
While this tradition wasn’t without controversy, it seemed here to stay.
That is, until COVID-19 hit the world and the retail industry in 2020. Practically all major retailers announced they’d be completely closed on Thanksgiving Day and would be holding subdued shopping events on Black Friday.
In 2021, major retailers again stayed closed on the Thanksgiving holiday, but held more-or-less normal shopping events that started in the wee hours on Black Friday.
So what does this mean for Thanksgiving 2022? It’s still unfolding. Some major retailers are holding the line and announcing they’ll stay closed on Turkey Day (Nov. 24 this year). And that’s the right move, according to shoppers: 68% of U.S. shoppers said stores should be closed on Thanksgiving, according to our 2021 holiday survey.
But many retailers still haven’t announced their plans one way or the other.
Read on to see which stores will remain shuttered on Thanksgiving Day 2022 (we’re confirming in real time). Curious about Black Friday hours? We’ll be confirming those with retailers here.
Stores Officially Closed on Thanksgiving Day 2022
The following retailers have confirmed via a public announcement or other direct communication with RetailMeNot that they’ll be closed on Thanksgiving Day 2022. We’ll be updating as more confirm.
What about Black Friday? Retailers closely guard their Black Friday (Nov. 25) plans, including store hours. We’ll keep you updated about when major retailers will be open on Black Friday and what their plans are for in-store shoppers. Just expect to be ready to shop at the crack of dawn. In 2020 and 2021, we saw plenty of retailers opening their doors as early as 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
It’s also important to note that while stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, retailers will very much be offering Black Friday deals online on Thanksgiving, if not earlier. Our friends at BlackFriday.com will be posting retailers’ sale announcements, so you can see exactly which deals will be shoppable online on Thanksgiving.
Boscov’s
The department store announced in August it would remain closed Thanksgiving 2022, with the CEO telling news outlets “A number of things have changed due to the pandemic. I’m delighted that this change has become the new norm, and hope it will become permanent in the retail industry.”
Costco
No surprises here. Costco has always stayed closed on Thanksgiving, even prior to COVID-19. It’s also one of the only major retailers that close on other federal holidays like New Year’s Day and Labor Day. Many of Costco’s early holiday deals are already live.
REI
The outdoor retailer has a long-standing eight-year tradition of closing on Thanksgiving AND on Black Friday, while still paying its employees and encourage everyone to #OptOutside instead. And it has announced that it’s making this tradition permanent. From here on, REI will be permanently closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club will be closed on Thanksgiving (that’s nothing new — it stayed closed on Turkey Day even before the pandemic). It’ll also be closed Christmas and New Year’s Day (see its holiday hours).
On Black Friday, it usually keeps its regular hours, opening at 10 a.m. for regular soppers and at 8 a.m. for Plus members.
Target
Target has been owning the new-again “staying closed on Thanksgiving” trend. Back in January 2021, it confirmed (10 months early) that it would be closed that Thanksgiving of that year. And in November 2021, its CEO announced in a note to employees that Target will forever stay closed on Thanksgiving.
While Target’s doors will remain closed, early-bird shoppers can line up to their hearts’ content on Black Friday morning or shop deals online (Target has a tradition of launching Black Friday deals about a week early).
Stores Open on Thanksgiving 2022
While we expect most retailers to be closed on Thanksgiving this year, a few are traditionally open every year — though some operated at reduced hours. While they might not be offering doorbusters on Thanksgiving, you can expect the following to be open for pharmacy needs, groceries and more:
- Albertsons
- Bass Pro Shops: (Opened 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving in 2021)
- Big Lots: Big Lots was open on Thanksgiving 2021 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- CVS: Pharmacy hours vary, but many locations (especially 24-hour locations) will be open for shoppers.
- Cabela’s: Was open at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving in 2021.
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- Giant
- Harris Teeter
- HEB
- Hy-Vee
- Kroger
- Meijer
- Rite Aid: Pharmacy hours will vary.
- Safeway
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Starbucks: Some locations (including those inside Target stores) will be closed.
- Walgreens: Pharmacy hours will vary.
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods
We’ll be updating our list as stores confirm their plans. Note that stores being closed on Thanksgiving shouldn’t affect your shopping list much. Most retailers will launch deals online. In fact, if you’re not thinking about shopping until Thanksgiving or Black Friday, you may be too late. Supply chain issues are dogging the retail industry, so expect the biggest Black Friday deals to sell out in seconds.
Why Are Stores Closing on Thanksgiving This Year?
A variety of factors are compelling stores to remain closed. First off, after two years of a pandemic, staffing shortages and overworked employees, calling workers in on a major national holiday (especially a holiday associated with family) simply isn’t a good look. Many of the stores remaining closed are citing “giving their employees a day off” as the reason for their decision to close their doors on Turkey Day.
Plus, retailers don’t have much to lose (except maybe some hype) by closing on Thanksgiving. In 2020, with the pandemic in full swing, Thanksgiving online spending broke records. If retailers can keep popular items in stock this year, shoppers will likely be more than happy to shop online on Turkey Day.
The post Stores Staying Closed on Thanksgiving 2022: The Official List appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
