Walmart will close its US stores on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, giving employees two full holiday days away from work. The retailer will remain open on Christmas Eve and will run several major shopping events before the holidays.
More Than 5,000 Walmart Locations Will Close
The shutdown covers Walmart’s US network, including Supercenters, discount stores, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations.
The company operates around 5,217 Walmart-owned stores and clubs across the country. Walmart says the closures are intended to give employees time to spend the holidays with their families.
Stores Will Open On Christmas Eve
Customers will still be able to shop at Walmart on Christmas Eve for last-minute purchases.
The retailer will then close its locations on Christmas Day before returning to normal operations after the holiday.
The same holiday closure policy applies to Sam’s Club locations included in the company’s US network.
Walmart Is Planning Three Holiday Shopping Events
The retailer has also announced three major shopping events ahead of the holiday period.
They will include: Early Black Friday deals, Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday deals. Walmart says the events will feature discounts across a range of products as shoppers prepare for the holiday season.
Walmart Says Lower Prices Matter To Shoppers
The company cited research showing that 60% of shoppers say the cost of gifts and holiday purchases affects how they feel about the season. Another 70% said lower prices would make holiday shopping easier.
Walmart said its holiday programme is designed to give customers more ways to shop while helping them manage spending during the busy period.
Other Major Retailers Are Also Closing
Walmart is not alone in closing stores on major holidays. Target, Costco and Home Depot are also expected to close their US stores on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, reports The Sun.
The closures reflect a wider trend among major retailers of giving employees time away from work during the two holidays. For Walmart customers, the key dates to remember are Christmas Eve for last-minute shopping, followed by the nationwide Christmas Day closure.
