Walmart to close all US stores for Thanksgiving for second year

Walmart will once again close its stores on Thanksgiving as gesture of thanks for its employees, USA Today reports.

It’s the second year in a row the major retail chain will shut its doors on the holiday, joining Target in the trend started during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“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,” said Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Walmart U.S., according to USA Today. “We hope everyone will take the opportunity to be with their loved ones during what’s always a special time.”

Walmart stores across the country will remain open the day before Thanksgiving and on Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

The closures will affect both Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.

Typically, Walmart stores are open on Thanksgiving, with certain areas container blockbuster items being roped off until Black Friday deals kick in.

The news of the closing comes as Walmart has started extending its operating hours, gearing up for a return to pre-pandemic hours of operations.

“With the number of fully vaccinated Americans growing higher every day, we believe we can adjust hours once again,” Smith said.