Walmart Will Close Thanksgiving Day

Honestly, I never thought I'd see this, but it's true - Walmart is closing Thanksgiving Day.

Walmart will close its doors on Thanksgiving this year for the first time in thirty years. I'm sure many retailers are thinking about how things will be different this year with the crowds especially on Black Friday. Walmart has been open on Thanksgiving since the 1980s. I know several friends and even family members that make it a tradition to eat Thanksgiving dinner together and then head out for a little "early" Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving and they love it.

For many, many years it has been a hot topic on this show with some listeners saying stores should be open on Thanksgiving and some saying they should be closed. Retailers have said in the past they like to get a jump start on the shopping season with opening Thanksgiving day.

"We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones," John Furner, CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a statement, according to cnnbusiness.com. Also, the CEO mentioned Walmart will spend about 430 million dollars in bonuses for full-time and part-time employees who were and able to work through the pandemic. 

I remember driving by Walmart and saying, " I can't believe their open." I felt bad for employees that might have missed family time or the Thanksgiving dinner.

This year I truly hope that Walmart employees can enjoy their family time they deserve and personally I want to "thank you" for all your hard work these last couple of months with a smile on your face, behind the mask.