TAMPA (WFLA) – Thanksgiving is closer than you think!
In 2020, crowds became a public health threat due to the COVID-19 pandemic making in-store shopping riskier for consumers along with the push-back businesses faced about employee safety, many major retailers were quickly announcing they would close their doors on Thanksgiving Day.
However, some retailers are continuing the new tradition of being closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Here’s a list of businesses that aren’t opening their doors on the holiday, according to BlackFriday.com:
Bed Bath & Beyond announced on Jun. 28 that it plans to “close stores on Thanksgiving Day so that Associates can be with friends and family during the important holiday.”
The retailer didn’t provide specific Black Friday details but said it will offer “great deals and inspiring products” leading up to Thanksgiving Day.
Best Buy will be closed again after closing on Thanksgiving Day last year. However, the company has started rolling out deals starting in mid-October and will be throughout the holiday season.
The outdoor and sporting goods retailer traditionally opens on the evening of Thanksgiving, but announced it will once again be closed on Thanksgiving Day in 2021 back in February.
DICK’S will reopen on Black Friday to serve customers with in-store, curbside contactless pickup and BOPIS options — continuing the company’s focus on customer service, technology and safety.
Black Friday hours have not been announced.
Foot Locker will close its stores and warehouses again on Thanksgiving Day this year, the company announced on Jun. 14.
While JCPenney stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, customers can shop on jcp.com and enjoy extended hours on Black Friday opening at 5 a.m. and on weekends leading up to Christmas Day at select stores.
To help celebrate the joy of the season, JCPenney’s cheerful holiday campaign centers on time with family and friends and sharing joy with others. T
Kohl’s announced that all of its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day back in June. 2021. The decision comes after positive response from last year’s closure on Thanksgiving Day, as well as evolving preferences in how and when customers want to shop during the holiday season.
Customers looking to shop Kohl’s on Thanksgiving Day will be able to shop on Kohls.com and in the Kohl’s App.
Macy’s stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, with curbside pickup available at select stores, and Black Friday deals available all day on macys.com and the Macy’s app. Stores will re-open on Friday, Nov. 26
Sam’s Club is owned by Walmart Inc. Both Sam’s and Walmart locations will remain closed on Thanksgiving.
Simon Property Group announced all its locations would be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic.
“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 wrote in a note to employees.
Walmart announced on June 4 that all of its U.S. store locations will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
The company said it will close all stores for a second consecutive year as a “thank you” to associates for their “continued hard work during the pandemic.”
On Oct. 18, the retailer announced the return of its “Black Friday Deals for Days” promotion, which includes several separate shopping “events” for online and in-store customers
Customers can visit Walmart’s Black Friday 2021 portal for more.
Plenty of other retailers stayed closed on Thanksgiving in 2020, but haven’t made official announcements about their plans for this year yet, according to blackfriday.com. They include Bath & Body Works, Home Depot, and others.