You’ve got the grill ready. The cooler is packed. Then you realize you forgot the one thing that actually makes the potato salad edible: the mayo. Or maybe it’s not food. Maybe your kid just informed you their only pair of school-approved sneakers has a hole in the toe, and tomorrow is Tuesday. Suddenly, the relaxing long weekend feels like a race against a closing gate.
Are retail stores open on Labor Day? Honestly, for the most part, yes. But if you’re heading to Costco, you’re out of luck.
Labor Day is this weird middle ground in the American holiday calendar. It’s a federal holiday, which means the post office is ghost-town quiet and your bank’s front door is definitely locked. But in the retail world? It’s basically the Super Bowl of end-of-summer clearance. While the day is technically meant to honor the American worker, most of those workers—at least in the service and retail sectors—are busy scanning barcodes and stocking shelves.
The Big Names: Who stays open and who doesn't
If you’re looking for a quick answer, most major big-box retailers like Walmart and Target treat Labor Day like a standard Monday. They want your business. They want you to buy that discounted patio set or the three-ring binders that are 50% off.
Walmart usually keeps its doors open from 6 AM to 11 PM, though some locations might shave an hour off the end. Target is pretty consistent too, generally running their 8 AM to 10 PM schedule. It’s the membership clubs where things get tricky.
Costco is the famous outlier here. They are closed. Every year, like clockwork, they shut down for the big seven holidays, and Labor Day is one of them. If you need a five-gallon bucket of ranch dressing on the first Monday of September, you better buy it on Sunday. Interestingly, Sam’s Club stays open, though they usually limit their hours—closing up shop around 6 PM instead of their usual late-night finish.
Grocery Stores and Pharmacies
Most people aren't buying a TV on Labor Day; they’re buying buns.
Kroger, Publix, and Safeway almost always stay open. Why wouldn't they? It’s one of the biggest food-shopping days of the year. However, don't expect 24-hour service even if the store normally offers it. Many regional chains like Aldi or Trader Joe's might operate on "Sunday hours," which usually means closing by 8 PM or 9 PM.
Pharmacies are a bit more reliable. CVS and Walgreens generally keep their front-of-store operations running 24/7 if that's their normal deal. But—and this is a big one—the pharmacy counter is a different beast. Even if the store is open, the pharmacists might be on a holiday schedule, often closing by 6 PM or even 2 PM. Call ahead if you're picking up a prescription.
Why the "Open" Sign stays flipped
It feels a little ironic, doesn't it? A day for workers usually involves millions of people working.
Retailers stay open because the "unofficial end of summer" is a massive psychological trigger for spending. Brands like Home Depot and Lowe's see a huge spike in DIYers trying to finish one last deck project before the leaves start falling. In 2026, we’re seeing even more of a push toward "omnichannel" shopping, where you buy online and swing by for a curbside pickup between burger flips.
Experts like those at Deloitte have noted for years that Labor Day serves as the bridge between "Back to School" and the early "Holiday" creep. If a store closes, they lose that momentum.
The Sales Trap: Is it actually a good time to shop?
Just because they’re open doesn't mean you should go.
Well, that's not entirely true. Labor Day is legitimately one of the best times to buy big-ticket items. Mattresses, for some reason, are always deeply discounted. You’ll see brands like Casper or Serta knocking 20% to 40% off. It’s also the "goldilocks" zone for appliances. If your dishwasher is on its last legs, Home Depot and Best Buy usually have some of their best prices of the year during this window.
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But watch out for the "filler" sales. Clothes that are "on sale" might just be the picked-over remains of the summer clearance rack.
Real-world Logistics for September 7, 2026
Since Labor Day 2026 falls on September 7, you need to account for the "long weekend" effect. Saturday and Sunday will be the busiest. Monday afternoon is actually surprisingly quiet in some suburbs because everyone is already at their cookout.
If you live in a smaller town, don't trust Google Maps 100%. A lot of "Mom and Pop" shops or specialized boutiques will take the day off to give their small staff a break. The big corporate giants stay open, but the local bookstore or the high-end boutique downtown might have a "See you Tuesday" sign in the window.
Quick Checklist for the Holiday:
- Malls: Usually open, but individual store hours within the mall can vary.
- Department Stores: Macy's, Kohl's, and JCPenney are almost always open.
- Hardware: Home Depot and Lowe's are open (and usually crowded).
- Post Office/UPS: Closed. No mail delivery.
- Banks: Closed. Use the ATM.
How to navigate the day without losing your mind
If you have to go out, go early.
The 8 AM to 10 AM window is your best friend. Most of the holiday crowd is still sleeping off the Sunday night festivities. By 2 PM, the grocery stores become a chaotic mess of people panic-buying ice and charcoal.
Also, check the apps. Most major retailers update their holiday hours in their official apps about 48 hours in advance. It’s much more reliable than a random third-party website or even a phone call, since staff might be too busy to answer the phone on a holiday shift.
Honestly, the best move is to be prepared. But if you find yourself without napkins or a working toaster on Labor Day, you’ll likely find a door open somewhere nearby—just don't try to go to Costco.
Your Labor Day Action Plan
- Verify your local pharmacy hours before 11 AM; they are the first to close their windows.
- Download the app for your primary grocery store to check real-time stock for "emergency" items like propane or ice.
- Target big-ticket items online starting the Friday before to secure the best "Labor Day Sale" inventory before the in-store rush on Monday.
- Skip the post office and shipping centers entirely; they won't process anything until Tuesday morning anyway.