Walmart stores will be closed this Thanksgiving, the retailer announced Tuesday July 21, 2020.
In a memo to employees, Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner announced another bonus for employees and that stores will break from tradition and close for the holiday, which usually is the start of the holiday shopping season and Black Friday weekend.
"We know holiday shopping will be different this year, and we will be managing sales events differently," Furner wrote. "Our best ideas come from our associates, and this year we have decided to close our stores on Thanksgiving Day – November 26."
Walmart stores haven't closed on Thanksgiving since the late 1980s, according to the company. Christmas is the only day each year most Walmart locations close.
Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations will operate with normal hours, the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25. Store and club hours for Friday, Nov. 27, which is Black Friday, will be shared at a later date, the company said in a news release.
Sam's Club locations traditionally stay closed on the holiday, but most Walmart stores have kicked off Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving and have kept doors open.
Since March, Walmart has been operating with reduced hours due to the coronavirus. Most stores are open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.
Walmart and Sam's Club have made other changes including limiting the number of shoppers in stores and on Monday both started requiring all shoppers wear masks.
