As Thanksgiving preparations kick into high gear, many Americans will inevitably make that last-minute dash to the grocery store for a forgotten bag of cranberries or a box of stuffing. But with holiday hours varying across retailers, some shoppers might find the doors closed just when they need them most.
Once the turkey leftovers are packed away, stores will swing their doors back open on Black Friday, widely seen as the unofficial start to the holiday shopping rush. Many major retailers are gearing up for an early start on Nov. 28, inviting shoppers to dive into doorbuster deals and get a jump on their holiday gift hunting.
Target has confirmed through its holiday fact sheet that all stores will remain closed on Thanksgiving. Costco is following suit, noting on its holiday calendar that it will also shut its doors for the day.
Here’s a look at some major grocery chains that plan to operate with reduced hours on Thanksgiving Day, though schedules may vary by location:
Food Lion: Most stores will close early at 3 p.m., with a few Virginia locations, including Roanoke, Lynchburg, Blacksburg and Charlottesville, staying open until 4 p.m. Pharmacies will not be operating.
H-E-B: Stores will open their doors at 6 a.m. and wrap up by noon.
Kroger: Shoppers will have until midday, as most locations are scheduled to close at 12 p.m.
Stop & Shop: In Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, stores will remain open until 3 p.m. Locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, however, will stay closed for the holiday, along with all pharmacy services.
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Wegmans: Most stores are set to close by 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving and resume normal hours at 6 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.
Whole Foods: Many stores will operate from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., though all locations in Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island will be closed for the day.
Beyond grocery chains, several major retailers and pharmacies have also outlined their Thanksgiving schedules, with many opting to close for the holiday. For those planning a quick supply run, it’s wise to double-check local hours, as they may differ by location.
CVS Pharmacy: Most CVS stores will operate on Thanksgiving, though some retail and pharmacy locations will follow reduced hours.
Dollar General: The chain plans to remain open for regular business hours in most states.
Home Depot: All stores will be closed for the day.
IKEA: Closed on Thanksgiving.
Michaels: Stores will not be open on Thanksgiving.
Petco: All locations will be closed.
TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra and Homesense: These off-price retailers will remain closed for the holiday.
Walgreens: Most Walgreens stores will be closed, but 24-hour locations will stay open to offer essential pharmacy services.
Where can you grab a bite on Thanksgiving?
A handful of fast-food and coffee chains will keep their doors open, but schedules will differ from place to place — so it’s best to confirm hours before heading out.
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Burger King: Most locations are expected to stay open.
Chick-fil-A: All restaurants will be closed for the holiday.
Dunkin’: Many stores plan to operate as usual, but hours may vary. Customers can check the app or local listings for specifics.
KFC: Hours will differ by location, according to the company.
Starbucks: Some stores may be open with adjusted schedules. The app and store locator can help confirm availability.
Subway: Most locations will be closed, though select stores may operate on limited hours.
Is the stock market open on Thanksgiving?
No. U.S. stock markets will be closed for Thanksgiving Day, and will reopen on Friday, Nov. 28, with an early close at 1 p.m. EDT, according to Nasdaq.
Are USPS, UPS and FedEx operating on Thanksgiving?
Postal and shipping services will also be largely paused for the holiday.
USPS: Post offices will be closed. Only Priority Mail Express deliveries will go out on Thanksgiving. Normal service resumes Friday.
UPS: No pickup or delivery services will operate on Thanksgiving.
FedEx: All services will be closed except FedEx Custom Critical, which handles specialized and urgent shipments.