Are Target Employees Off on Thanksgiving Day?

Is Target open on Thanksgiving day? Thanksgiving happens every year on the fourth Thursday of November. Many big-name retailers will be choosing to stay closed on Thursday, allowing their employees to spend time with family and gear up for the holiday season.

Some stores might have longer hours the day before Thanksgiving.

If you’re someone who tends to do last-minute holiday shopping at Target and you’re thinking about going on Thanksgiving, you might be wondering if Target is open or closed on that day.

Let’s explore the details to find out if Target is open, why or why not, and also see which other stores are open.

Is Target Open on Thanksgiving Day?

Target has changed its tradition of being open on Thanksgiving Day for Black Friday shopping.

In 2020, they decided to close on Thanksgiving and continue this practice in the following years. Target CEO Brian Cornell assured employees that Thanksgiving store hours would not return.

While all the Target stores will remain closed on Thanksgiving this year, the online platform and the app will continue to offer great deals and deals at low prices. 

On Black Friday, they will be open for retail with the shop doors swinging at six in the morning.

This variation dates back to 2020; it was well received and Target continues to observe it as a custom.

For that matter, it is best to check on the local store’s operating hours to ensure that you have somewhere to turn to Target before you leave for Target. 

However, the last thing you desire to see when you arrive is an empty parking lot.

Therefore, just as a precautionary measure, seek Target’s store locator. More than that, this app will find you the Target nearest to you and tell you the hours when the store is open.

Other stores like Aldi, Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club, and Walgreens will also remain closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving

While some grocery stores and retailers like Target are closed for Thanksgiving, others will stay open to cater to customers with last-minute needs.

Here’s a list of some stores that are open on Thanksgiving:

1. ACME: Businesses remain open, with modified schedules.

2. Albertsons: Most retailers are open with distinctive opening hours. Pharmacies may be open or have adjusted hours.

3. Central Market: Stores will be operating from 6 AM to 12 PM while pharmacies will remain closed. Curbside hours are from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., however, home delivery is not provided.

4. Dillons: There will be stores that will operate but most of them will close early. Get information on the pharmacy from local stores.

5. Food Lion: Stores will open at the usual time and close at 3 p.m. (some at 4 p.m. depending on the location).

6. The Fresh Market: Stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

7. Fry’s: Stores will be open, but many will close early. Closing times vary by location. Check local stores for pharmacy details.

8. Hannaford: Some Hannaford locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Contact your local store or check online for details.

9. Harris Teeter: Stores will be open, but many will close early. Closing times vary by location. Check local stores for pharmacy details.

10. H-E-B: Stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pharmacies are closed. Curbside is available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Home delivery is not available.

11. Jewel-Osco: Most stores are open with varied hours. Pharmacies may be closed or have adjusted hours.

Why is Target Closed on Thanksgiving?

Target found out that employees valued having time off, and that’s why the decision was straightforward.

Closing the stores on Thanksgiving was attainable because Target has built a strong team and business model to meet holiday demands, both during and beyond regular store hours.

In 2021, Target made the decision permanent, giving almost all store employees Thanksgiving Day off.

Those working on Thanksgiving will receive holiday pay. Target is not the only company letting employees spend Thanksgiving with family.

On this day, many government institutions, businesses, schools, universities, and other organizations are closed.

This also applies on the day after Thanksgiving which turns into a long weekend.

In the United States, there are six recognized business holidays: The first of January, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Therefore, almost 96% of American business organizations offer paid leave for these holidays.

Just over two-thirds of respondents said that they tend to shop during Thanksgiving because the deals offered are too good to miss out on (61%) or as a matter of tradition (28%).

On the other hand, Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday for the employees in the U.S. where they are paid off for a day and get to spend time with their loved ones. 

As it has been shown, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has been recently considered a continuation of the holiday.

Why is it Called Thanksgiving?

Back in the early days of New England, people were used to having regular “Thanksgivings” where they’d pray and thank God for good things like winning battles or the end of a dry spell.

Even the U.S. Continental Congress declared a national Thanksgiving after the Constitution was enacted.

Nowadays, people all over the country come together to share a meal and think about all the things they’re thankful for.

And Thanksgiving is not only food, there are many ways to celebrate; such as parades and shopping or running and volunteering.

However, Thursday, November 26, was set by George Washington as a day of public Thanksgiving, and from that time on, the holiday eventually changed to various months and dates.

It was on November 26, 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving Day a standard Thursday in November.

And then there is something known as Artists Sunday on the Sunday that follows Thanksgiving. 

It’s in the form of people engaging to purchase locally while supporting artists, creators, and performers.

Thanksgiving Day is a very big holiday in the US; even bigger than Christmas. To ensure that you are well prepared for the ceremony and do not have any nasty surprises, let us get you up to date.

Thanksgiving is a day that Target will no longer remain open because it has chosen to close its doors to give its employees a chance to spend the day with their families.

Though some other stores remain to shop for last-minute needs, the target family time over shopping is a good move that was well received.

In that case, if you’re thinking of going shopping on Thanksgiving, you could look at some alternate options but come Black Friday, Target will be all set to accommodate eager shoppers once again.