Walmart to close its stores on Thanksgiving Day

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart Inc. said that it will be closing its namesake stores and Sam’s Clubs on Thanksgiving Day this year, saying that it wants to have its employees spend time with their families during the coronavirus.

The move, announced Tuesday, marks the first major indication of how COVID will affect Black Friday store shopping, which for almost a decade kicked off with big crowds on the turkey feast and expanded into Friday. However, given safety concerns, stores are rethinking their plans for the kickoff.

Given Walmart’s clout as the nation’s largest retailer, other major retailers could follow its lead. Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette said earlier this month that the department store will be pivoting its Black Friday business more toward online and will likely be going “full force” with holiday marketing right after Halloween. It also will be staggering events to reduce customer traffic in the stores.

Walmart also said Tuesday that it will be giving out another round of bonuses for workers on the front lines of the coronavirus. The company said that it will be doling out $300 for full-time hourly workers and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary workers. Drivers, managers and assistant managers in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers and health and wellness will also receive a bonus. It will add up to approximately $428 million, Walmart said.



FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, a woman pulls groceries from a cart to her vehicle outside of a Walmart store in Pearl, Miss. Walmart announced Tuesday, July 21, will close its namesake stores and Sam’s Clubs on Thanksgiving Day 2020, saying that it wants to have its employees spend time with their families during the coronavirus. The move marks the first major indication of how COVID will affect Black Friday store shopping, which for almost a decade kicked off with big crowds on the turkey feast and expanded into Friday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/49a19f07b45216eb7a0d238c68ff9b68

[Ms. Toad]

1. Translation: We can't pack the stores per distancing guidelines

So we can't afford to pay employees holiday pay at the unpacked customer level.

[catbyte]

4. Yeah, that's what it sounds like to me. But I'm the original cynic, lol.

[cstanleytech]

10. Yup. nt

[rpannier]

18. I think it goes a little deeper

I do agree about not wanting to pay
In the past, Black Fridays have been a zoo
And that was with the non-insane shopping with the insane
Chances are, 98% will be the insane.
They would need WWE referees for security because it would probably turn into an Extreme Championship Wrestling event
That doesn't look good from a PR standpoint

[Ms. Toad]

20. Except that they still plan on having stores open on Black Friday.

It is Thanksgiving day they are closing.

[Sherman A1]

21. Yup

And the cyber Monday specials will start about Labor Day.

[underpants]

2. Good.

[marble falls]

3. Lovely gesture. Now how about a living wage?

[cstanleytech]

9. They are not doing it out of the goodness of their heart though.

Why they are doing it is because they know they will not get the usual crowds so there is no point in staying open.

[marble falls]

11. Unions.

[Mr.Bill]

5. Online Christmas shopping

will see a huge increase this year.

[Sneederbunk]

6. To big business Black Fridays matter.

[rpannier]

16. Very true

The execs of those businesses believe BFM

[Grokenstein]

7. FOXRapists: "WHAARRRR ON TANKS GIBBING!!"

"Squirrel, errybuddy! SQUIRRELLLLLLLL!! Don't look at us, look at this!!"

[cstanleytech]

8. More like they know they are not going to get the

usual crowd of people.

[JI7]

15. I think they would get the crowds but it would make them look bad

even people start coming down within covid from black Friday shopping crowds.

[Warpy]

12. Translation: Thanksgiving Day sales were in the dumper

and they can use the day to put up displays for Black Friday

[JDC]

13. Good. What time do employees have to be back for Black Friday?

[Calista241]

19. When I worked retail i LOVED working on holidays. Got paid time and 1/2.

And we basically did nothing since only a few people came in.

[Hip2bSquare]

14. Close on election day and make a real statement

Good they are giving their 'working their tails off' employees the holiday off, but Walmart can go blockbuster and close election day to let their employees vote. Walmart can afford it. How amazing would that turkey taste once we are free of that orange goo??!!

[Skittles]

17. I bet most of them would prefer the OT

especially now