Walmart and Other Stores That Won't Be Open on Thanksgiving 2022

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. In recent years, largely thanks to the pandemic, they got their wish — and this year is mostly following suit. Outdoor retailer REI even went one better by vowing to stay closed on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when many stores have blow-out sales to welcome in the holiday shopping season, 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.

Closed For Good: Target

Target announced in 2020 that going forward it will always be closed on Thanksgiving day. 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.

Related: Target Brands Shoppers Love

Staying Open: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's

These sibling chains have opened their doors at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving in past years. Check your local store to confirm closing time.

Big Lots (Waterbury, Connecticut) by JJBers (CC BY)

Staying Open: Big Lots

Big Lots announced that it would open bright and early at 7 a.m. and stay open until 9 p.m. on the holiday. The discounter also enticed customers with big sales including 50% off toys.

Closed: JCPenney

JCPenney closed last year but offered new Black Friday deals daily in November. The store will be following a similar playbook this year, and opening at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.

Macy's Sign Herald Square Manhattan — wdstock/istockphoto

Closed: Macy's

Macy's will be closed on Thanksgiving again this year — freeing you up to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The stores will open for Black Friday at 6 a.m.

Closed: REI

Not only will REI be closed on Thanksgiving, it will also be closed on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. The company has been shut down on this day since 2015 — including stores, distribution centers, call centers, and headquarters — and pay its employees to spend time outside as part of its #OptOutside campaign.

Closed: BJ's Wholesale Club

Joining ranks with the other wholesale clubs, BJ's is closing on Thanksgiving Day again. It's not an unusual move for the company, which has been closed on turkey day for the last 16 years in order to give employees a break during the busy season.

Closed: Simon Properties

Simon, the nation's largest mall owner, operates malls, lifestyle centers, and outlet malls in 37 states plus Puerto Rico, and all of them except for two will be closed on Thanksgiving. Among Simon's more notable locations: Lenox Square in Atlanta; The Domain in Austin, Texas; and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets near New York City. The stores that will remain open are in Las Vegas: Forum Shops at Caesars and Shops at Crysals.

Bed Bath and Beyond store facade in red — krblokhin/istockphoto

Closed: Bed, Bath & Beyond

In past years, the retailer had flip-flopped when it comes to Thanksgiving, choosing to close in 2018, open in 2019, and close in 2020 and 2021. This year, the company will remain closed but have extended hours on Black Friday.

Closed: Kohl's

Kohl’s, typically a reliable source of Thanksgiving Day doorbusters, was closed last year and is doing the same thing this year. The store did point out shoppers can visit Kohls.com anytime, including Thanksgiving.

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Dick's Sporting Goods Store — RiverNorthPhotography/istockphoto

Closed: Dick's Sporting Goods

After closing stores on Thanksgiving as a way of thanking employees for navigating the "stress and strain of 2020," the chain continued the tradition in 2021 and will do the same for 2022.

Walmart Optimizes Prices — Wolterk/istockphoto

Closed: Walmart and Sam’s Club

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. Like previous years, 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.

Closed: Costco

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.

Closed: Best Buy

The nation's most prominent electronics retailer, traditionally fertile ground for stampedes over laptops and smartphones, will again not be open on Thanksgiving this year. It has already been offering Black Friday prices on and off.