If you’re planning to run out for a last-minute jar of gravy or a bag of rolls, hold on. You’re probably wondering is Walmart open on Thanksgiving, and honestly, the answer is a hard no. It wasn't always this way. For decades, the ritual was as predictable as the parade: eat turkey, argue with your uncle, then head to Walmart at 6:00 PM to wrestle over a discounted flatscreen. But things shifted.
The world changed in 2020.
Walmart decided to close its doors on the holiday that year to give employees a breather during the pandemic, and they've stuck with it ever since. John Furner, the CEO of Walmart U.S., has been pretty vocal about this. He’s essentially said that the company sees no reason to go back to the old way. It’s a permanent shift in corporate culture.
Is Walmart Open on Thanksgiving? The New Reality
Let's be clear. Every single Walmart Supercenter and Neighborhood Market in the United States will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. This isn't just a "reduced hours" situation. The doors are locked. The lights are dimmed. The parking lots are empty. If you show up on Thursday morning hoping to grab some cranberry sauce, you'll be met with a very quiet storefront.
Why did they do it? It’s not just about being nice.
Retail is a cutthroat business. For years, the "Black Friday" creep was real. Sales started on Friday, then moved to midnight, then moved to 8:00 PM on Thursday, then 4:00 PM. It became a race to the bottom. Employees hated it. Many customers started to feel a bit gross about it too—shopping while people are trying to have dinner. When the pandemic hit, Walmart had a "hall pass" to try something different. They realized they didn't lose as much money as they thought they would. By spreading deals out over several weeks in November, they kept the revenue flowing without the Thanksgiving Day chaos.
What about Black Friday?
Now, don't think they're giving up on the sales. Walmart typically reopens at 6:00 AM local time on the Friday following Thanksgiving. That’s when the madness starts. If you’re a die-hard deal seeker, that’s your window. But even that has changed. Much of the inventory you'd normally fight over in the aisles is now available online days or even weeks in advance.
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You've got to realize that the "Doorbuster" is almost a relic. Walmart's "Deals for Days" events now dominate the entire month of November. They realized that shipping a TV to someone's house on a Tuesday is way more efficient than managing a riot in the electronics department on a Thursday night.
The Impact on Workers and the Industry
This move by Walmart sent shockwaves through the retail sector. When the biggest player in the game decides to stay home, others follow. Target quickly followed suit, making their Thanksgiving closure permanent as well. It’s a rare moment where labor interests and corporate strategy actually aligned.
Think about the scale here. We’re talking about over 1.6 million employees in the U.S. alone. That is a massive amount of people who suddenly got their holiday back. It’s a huge win for employee morale in an industry that usually sees high turnover.
- Costco? Closed.
- Target? Closed.
- Aldi? Closed.
- Publix? Closed.
Basically, if you need food on Thanksgiving, you better hope the local CVS or a small convenience store is open. Or better yet, check your pantry on Wednesday.
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Navigating the Holiday Rush
If you're worried about missing out, the strategy is simple: shop early. Walmart usually starts their heavy discounting in the first week of November. By the time Thanksgiving actually rolls around, the "best" deals are often already gone or sitting in people's living rooms.
Honestly, it’s a better experience. Nobody actually likes standing in a line at 4:00 AM in the cold. You can buy the same air fryer from your phone while you're eating a slice of pumpkin pie. That’s the "new" Black Friday.
The supply chain also plays a factor. By closing on Thursday, Walmart can focus all its logistics on the Friday surge and the subsequent Cyber Monday. It’s a tactical pause. It allows their distribution centers to catch up before the final December sprint.
What if you have an emergency?
Look, things happen. Maybe the dog ate the turkey or you dropped the only gallon of milk. If you absolutely need a store on Thanksgiving, you're looking at a very short list. Some pharmacy chains like Walgreens or CVS stay open, but their grocery selection is limited. Certain regional grocery stores might stay open until noon, but you’re gambling if you wait until then.
Walmart is definitely not the place to go. Don't even bother checking the app for "In-store pickup" on Thursday. It won't happen.
Moving Forward: The Future of Holiday Retail
It’s highly unlikely we’ll ever see Walmart open on Thanksgiving again. The PR win of "giving the holiday back to the families" is too valuable to give up. Plus, the data shows that people are perfectly happy to shop online.
We’ve transitioned into a "hybrid" holiday season. The physical store is still important, but it's no longer the center of the universe on the fourth Thursday of November.
To make sure you aren't caught off guard, take these steps:
- Check your list twice on Tuesday. This is the "sweet spot" for shopping. The stores are stocked, but the Wednesday panic hasn't fully set in yet.
- Download the Walmart app. If you’re hunting for a specific toy or tech item, the app will tell you exactly when the online price drops. You can usually snag it days before Thanksgiving.
- Verify local hours for Wednesday and Friday. While Thanksgiving is a total blackout, Wednesday hours are usually normal, and Friday usually starts early (6:00 AM).
- Support small businesses. If you forgot one minor ingredient, some "mom and pop" corner stores stay open specifically because the big guys are closed. It’s a good time to support them.
The era of the Thanksgiving Day Walmart run is officially over. It’s a dead tradition, replaced by digital carts and a much-needed day of rest for the people who keep the shelves stocked the other 364 days of the year. Plan accordingly, buy your stuffing on Monday, and stay home.