Retail operations across the United States have undergone a permanent transformation regarding holiday schedules. For those planning a shopping trip on Thanksgiving Day, the reality is that the vast majority of major shopping malls, department stores, and big-box retailers will keep their doors locked. This shift, which solidified into an industry standard around 2020, prioritizes employee well-being and reflects a strategic move toward e-commerce. While the "Grey Thursday" trend of the mid-2010s saw stores opening earlier every year, the current retail landscape treats Thanksgiving as a day of rest before the intensity of Black Friday begins.

The End of Thanksgiving Day Shopping Operations

The tradition of opening retail stores on Thanksgiving Day reached its peak about a decade ago when major players like Target and Walmart competed for early holiday sales by opening on Thursday evening. However, that era has largely concluded. Since 2020, major retail chains have publicly committed to remaining closed on the holiday.

Market leaders including Walmart and Target have moved from temporary pandemic-era closures to permanent holiday policies. In late 2021, Target’s CEO Brian Cornell announced that the company would remain closed on Thanksgiving Day indefinitely. Walmart followed a similar trajectory, with leadership stating that being open on the holiday was a thing of the past. Because these "anchor stores" typically drive the foot traffic for entire shopping complexes, their decision to remain closed effectively forces the malls they inhabit to shutter as well.

Why Malls and Retailers Decided to Close

The decision to close on Thanksgiving is not merely a gesture of goodwill; it is a calculated business move influenced by social, economic, and operational factors.

Employee Retention and Morale

In a competitive labor market, offering a guaranteed holiday off has become a significant recruitment and retention tool. Retail workers have historically pushed back against the "holiday creep" that required them to leave their families to staff stores on Thursday afternoon. By closing, companies improve employee morale and avoid the negative publicity associated with forcing staff to work during one of the year's most significant family holidays.

The Rise of E-commerce

The primary reason physical stores can afford to close is that the digital doors never lock. Modern consumers are increasingly comfortable browsing holiday deals on their mobile devices while the turkey is in the oven. Retailers now launch their "Black Friday" promotions online as early as Monday or Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, capturing consumer spending without the overhead costs of operating physical locations on a holiday.

Operational Costs vs. Revenue

Operating a massive shopping mall on Thanksgiving Day is expensive. It requires security, maintenance, sanitation, and utilities for the entire complex. If the primary department stores (the anchors) are closed, the specialty boutiques inside the mall cannot generate enough revenue to justify the operational costs of the building.

Major Retailers Confirmed Closed for 2025

For those looking for last-minute gifts or early deals, it is essential to know which doors will be closed. Based on current corporate policies and public announcements, the following major retailers will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025:

  • Walmart: All locations nationwide will be closed, reopening early Friday morning.
  • Target: Doors remain closed on Thursday; the company has transitioned this to a permanent policy.
  • Macy’s: The historic department store will be closed, though it continues its tradition of the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
  • Best Buy: Technology and appliance shoppers will need to wait until Black Friday morning for in-store visits.
  • Costco: Known for its strict holiday schedule, Costco remains closed on Thanksgiving, as it does for most major federal holidays.
  • Kohl’s: The department store will not open on Thursday, focusing instead on a 5:00 a.m. Black Friday launch.
  • JC Penney: Following the industry trend, all physical locations are shuttered for the day.
  • Home Depot and Lowe's: The home improvement giants remain closed, allowing employees to spend time with family.
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods: All locations will be closed on Thursday.
  • Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack: High-end shoppers will find these locations closed until Friday.

What Businesses Remain Open on Thanksgiving?

While traditional malls are closed, specific sectors of the economy remain operational to serve emergency needs or last-minute grocery requirements. However, even these businesses often operate on "truncated" or reduced holiday hours.

Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

If you forget a key ingredient for dinner, you may still have options. Many grocery chains remain open until the early afternoon:

  • Kroger: Most stores are open until 2:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.
  • Meijer: Typically remains open, though hours may vary by region.
  • Whole Foods: Most locations open for limited morning hours, often closing by 2:00 p.m.
  • Albertsons and Safeway: Many locations remain open for limited hours.
  • Wegmans: Most locations remain open with shortened schedules.
  • Sprouts Farmers Market: Usually open until 2:00 p.m.

Note: Trader Joe's and Aldi are notable exceptions that remain closed all day on Thanksgiving.

Pharmacies and Convenience Stores

Essential services often remain available, particularly for medical needs:

  • CVS Pharmacy: Many locations remain open, though non-24-hour pharmacies may have limited hours. It is highly recommended to call the pharmacy department directly.
  • Walgreens: While most stores now close on Thanksgiving, select 24-hour locations and pharmacies remain operational to serve the community.
  • 7-Eleven: Most locations remain open 24/7, serving as a fallback for basic needs.

Entertainment and Dining

Malls that house movie theaters or restaurants with exterior entrances may see partial activity. While the interior mall corridors are locked, a Regal or AMC Theater located at the mall might still be open for holiday movie-goers. Similarly, large restaurant chains like Cheesecake Factory or P.F. Chang's that have their own street-facing doors may choose to open for dinner service.

Regional Variations and State Blue Laws

The status of a shopping mall is not only determined by corporate policy but also by state law. In several states, particularly in the Northeast, "Blue Laws" strictly prohibit or limit certain retail activities on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

  • Massachusetts: State law generally prohibits most retail stores from opening on Thanksgiving Day. While there are exemptions for small food stores and pharmacies, major shopping malls must remain closed.
  • Maine: Similar to Massachusetts, Maine has strict regulations regarding holiday retail operations, ensuring that the vast majority of employees have the day off.
  • Rhode Island: Retailers are largely restricted from opening on Thanksgiving without specific permits, which are rarely granted for general merchandise shopping.

Outside of these states, the decision to close is voluntary but nearly universal among large-scale shopping centers.

How to Verify if a Specific Mall is Open

Because some independently owned shopping centers or smaller strip malls may differ from the national trend, shoppers should use the following verification methods before leaving home:

  1. Google Maps Real-Time Updates: Search for the specific mall name. Google often displays a "Holiday Hours" warning in the business profile. If it says "Thanksgiving Day might affect these hours," the data may not be confirmed, and you should call.
  2. Official Mall Websites: Most management companies (such as Simon Property Group, Macerich, or Brookfield Properties) post a comprehensive holiday schedule on their "Hours" or "News" page at least two weeks before Thanksgiving.
  3. The "Anchor Store" Test: Look up the hours for the largest stores in the mall (e.g., Macy’s or Dillard's). If the anchor stores are closed, it is a 99% certainty that the interior mall is also closed, as the smaller tenants rely on the anchors for foot traffic.
  4. Social Media: Local malls often post their holiday schedules on Facebook or Instagram to keep the community informed.

Preparing for Black Friday Openings

While Thanksgiving is a day of closure, it serves as the calm before the storm. Most malls that are closed on Thursday will reopen with extended hours on Black Friday (Friday, November 28, 2025).

Typical Black Friday opening times include:

  • Early Birds: Some retailers like Kohl's and JCPenney may open as early as 5:00 a.m.
  • Standard Big Box: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy typically open their doors at 6:00 a.m. local time.
  • Mall Corridors: The general interior of shopping malls usually opens between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., depending on the location and local demand.

Shoppers should be aware that "doorbuster" deals are increasingly being moved to online platforms to prevent the dangerous crowds of previous decades. This makes the physical opening of the mall more about the "experience" of shopping rather than the only way to get a discount.

Summary of Thanksgiving Day Shopping Status

To summarize the landscape for 2025:

  • Major Malls: Nearly all are closed.
  • Big-Box Retailers: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Costco are 100% closed.
  • Department Stores: Macy's, Kohl's, and Nordstrom are closed.
  • Grocery Stores: Mixed. Most open in the morning and close by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.
  • Pharmacies: Select locations open, primarily 24-hour branches.
  • Online: Fully operational with "Black Friday" deals already active.

The shift toward closing on Thanksgiving is a rare example of the retail industry moving back toward tradition. For consumers, this means any shopping needs should be handled by Wednesday evening, or conducted via smartphone during the holiday festivities.

Conclusion

The era of rushing to the mall on Thanksgiving evening has effectively ended. In 2025, the standard for the American retail industry is a total shutdown of physical stores on the holiday. This change honors the cultural significance of the day while acknowledging the efficiency of e-commerce. If you find yourself in need of something on Thanksgiving, your best bet is a local grocery store before noon or a 24-hour pharmacy. Otherwise, enjoy the day at home, knowing that the physical storefronts will be ready to welcome you at dawn on Black Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are all Simon Malls closed on Thanksgiving?

Most Simon Malls follow the lead of their anchor tenants and local market conditions. In recent years, the vast majority of Simon-managed properties have remained closed on Thanksgiving Day, but it is always best to check the specific property website for "Holiday Hours."

Is the Mall of America open on Thanksgiving?

Historically, the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, has chosen to remain closed on Thanksgiving Day to allow its thousands of employees to spend time with family, reopening for a massive event on Black Friday morning.

Can I still pick up online orders at Target or Walmart on Thanksgiving?

No. Because the physical stores are closed and staffed only by minimal security or maintenance teams, "In-Store Pickup" and "Curbside Pickup" services are unavailable on Thanksgiving Day. Any orders placed on Thursday will be available for pickup on Friday morning.

Which grocery stores are definitely closed on Thanksgiving 2025?

Both Aldi and Trader Joe’s have a firm policy of remaining closed on Thanksgiving Day to give their staff a break. Costco is also closed.

Why did stores stop opening on Thanksgiving?

The change was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but it was driven by a combination of employee pressure, the success of early-week online sales, and a desire to avoid the logistical chaos and negative PR of "Grey Thursday" crowds.