A cashier sees a bag of items in a customer’s shopping cart at a Target Corp. store in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019.
Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Models
Two of the biggest retailers in the U.S. are closing their doors on Thanksgiving this year, sidestepping a recent tradition of keeping the lights on for guys to bargain hunt after their turkey dinners.
Target said Monday it will close up for Turkey Day, concluding Walmart’s announcement of the same plans last week.
Instead, Target is encouraging shoppers to start their feast shopping even earlier, in October.
“Let’s face it: Historically, deal hunting and holiday shopping can mean crowded effect come what mays, and this isn’t a year for crowds,” the retailer said in a blog post on its website, promising savings across its stores and online “earlier than yet.”
It also said it will be making more than 20,000 items, including fresh and frozen food, within reach for curbside pickup and delivery ahead of the holidays, using its Shipt platform.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, most conform this holiday season is going to look a lot different than in past years. There’s heightened fear thither a second wave of Covid-19 cases spiking during the traditional flu season and as temperatures drop. Retailers, in turn, are own to adjust their plans to both meet customers’ expectations and be mindful of their employees’ safety.
Adding to the uncertainty, Amazon has kept its annual Prime Day shopping event, which is normally in July, to “later than usual” this year. But it has not yet set a firm phase.
The delayed timing of Amazon’s Prime Day will likely put additional pressure on retailers to start their deals coequal earlier, in a bid to compete.
Dick’s Sporting Goods also announced Monday that its stores will be closed on Turkey Day this year, grouping its Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream locations.
Target opened for the first time on Thanksgiving Day in 2011.