• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
RetailBlack Friday

These major retailers are already planning to be closed on Thanksgiving Day because of the pandemic

By
Rachel King
Rachel King
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Rachel King
Rachel King
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 27, 2020, 5:15 PM ET
Updated November 19, 2020, 2:54 PM ET

Our mission to help you navigate the new normal is fueled by subscribers. To enjoy unlimited access to our journalism, subscribe today.

Black Friday might soon become Cyber Friday at this rate.

Over the past several years, many major retailers have been opening their doors for holiday shopping earlier and earlier on Black Friday—to the point where these stores have launched mega weekend sales starting on Thanksgiving Day itself.

But like with everything else since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is going to change this year. Big-box stores—including Walmart and Target—started announcing in July that their brick-and-mortar locations will not be open on Thanksgiving Day. Stores typically become extremely crowded during holiday sales events, with chaotic scenes and tensions running high even without a public health crisis going on. Keeping these frenzied events safe under current social distancing guidelines would prove near impossible.

While there could be a transition to bring these bargain offers online (similar to Amazon rolling out special deals over the course of the month of November), this move could have huge repercussions for retailers, which are already suffering amid the economic crisis and count heavily on the holiday-quarter sales. Opening on Thanksgiving Day has become part of the playbook to jump-start Black Friday sales and the rest of the holiday shopping season through Dec. 25. Many of the online-only sales have been reserved for the following Monday, now known as “Cyber Monday,” but shoppers still looking to get special deals could be looking at a whole cyber weekend instead.

Below is a running list of retailers altering their Thanksgiving holiday weekend opening hours. This list will continue to be updated through Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 26, 2020.

Walmart

Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer, said on July 21 that it would be closed on Thanksgiving Day this year to thank employees for their hard work during the pandemic, which has given Walmart a big sales boost. The last time Walmart closed on Thanksgiving was in the late 1980s. The company says it will release more details regarding its Black Friday plans at a future date.

Target

Target followed suit on July 27, announcing that all of its stores would be closed on Nov. 26. Instead, the retailer is moving many of its promotions for big-ticket items online as early as October. Target is also making 20,000 more products—including fresh and frozen groceries—available via pickup and delivery services at 1,500 locations across the country by this fall.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Dick’s Sporting Goods also announced on July 27 that it will close all store locations and distribution centers on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2020. This closure includes specialty stores Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream. In previous years, most Dick’s Sporting Goods stores were open with limited evening hours on Thanksgiving, the company said in a statement. All Dick’s Sporting Goods locations will follow standard business hours on Wed., Nov. 25. Information on holiday hours, which begin Fri., Nov. 27, will be shared at a later date. The company also noted store and distribution center teammates will continue to receive a 15% pay premium through the end of the year.

Kohl’s

Kohl’s announced on July 29 that it would keep stores closed on Thanksgiving Day 2020—not only out of safety and convenience, but also because the retailer expects more customers to shop earlier and online more frequently. Kohl’s also said it would provide more information on its holiday hours at a later date.

Best Buy

Best Buy also said in late July that it will be closed on Thanksgiving, promising promotional deals will roll out online earlier than November 26. The electronics seller also said it would be “enhancing the way we fulfill orders,” from offering more convenient pickup options to better ensuring BestBuy.com orders arrive at the right time.

JCPenney

JCPenney announced on August 3 that it made the decision to close our stores this Thanksgiving. In the meantime, for customers who do choose to shop in stores before and after the holiday, JCPenney says it has implemented a number of safety precautions, such as requiring face coverings and providing hand sanitizer for customers and associates, diligently cleaning stores with a focus on high-touch areas, and installing plexiglass at open registers in all stores. JCP also has contactless curbside pickup available at select locations.

Foot Locker

A representative for Foot Locker told Fortune on August 10 that all Foot Locker, Inc. stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving this year.

Forever 21

For the first time in the brand’s 36-year history, all Forever 21 stores are closing for Thanksgiving day. The fashion retailer will reopen doors on Black Friday, November 27.

More must-read retail coverage from Fortune:

  • What Starbucks learned about COVID-19 from its China stores
  • Pop-up retail was made for the pandemic
  • Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving for first time in decades
  • Chipotle to hire 10,000 more workers as it expands mobile-order drive-thru
  • Malls are dying, but Nordstrom has no intention of being dragged down with them
About the Author
By Rachel King
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

delivery
Retailecommerce
Walmart’s upper hand over Amazon in the $1 trillion e-commerce race: 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a superstore
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMay 16, 2026
11 hours ago
gamestop
RetailM&A
‘Neither credible or attractive’: eBay slaps down GameStop’s $56 billion takeover bid
By Michelle Chapman and The Associated PressMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
amazon
RetailAmazon
Amazon’s promise of 30-minute delivery collides with memories of Domino’s drivers crashing in the late 1980s
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
India’s Gen Z turned Diet Coke into a status symbol. A can shortage just made it a luxury
Asiadiet coke
India’s Gen Z turned Diet Coke into a status symbol. A can shortage just made it a luxury
By Brendan Cosgrove and Morning BrewMay 11, 2026
5 days ago
Content creator Logan Walter
SuccessJobs
This Gen Zer dropped out of college to become an influencer—now he’s a millionaire from selling products like Medicube and Neutrogena on TikTok Shop
By Emma BurleighMay 11, 2026
6 days ago
Investors are betting big on senior housing. There’s just one problem—the baby boomers they’re chasing can’t pay the rent
Real Estatebaby boomers
Investors are betting big on senior housing. There’s just one problem—the baby boomers they’re chasing can’t pay the rent
By Sydney LakeMay 9, 2026
8 days ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
13 hours ago
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
3 days ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
17 hours ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
13 hours ago
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 15, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.