Michigan Shoppers: Plan Ahead — Big Stores Closed Thanksgiving

If you're planning a post-turkey shopping spree in Michigan this year, hold your horses. Big-box retailers like Walmart and dozens of others are planning to close their doors for 24 hours on Thanksgiving Day. According to Parade, an increasing number of chains are choosing to remain closed on Thanksgiving rather than open early for the pre-Black Friday craze.

RELATED: Detroit's Thanksgiving Parade's 'Big Head Tradition'

Why Retailers Are Saying No to Thanksgiving Shopping

You might remember that before 2020, many of Michigan's biggest stores opened on Thanksgiving evening (or earlier) to kick off holiday deals. Enter the pandemic — and with it, a shift. Target and other major retailers closed on Thanksgiving 2020 and haven't looked back. The industry says it's a thank-you gesture to employees and a response to changing habits.

What It Means for Michigan Shoppers

In Michigan this holiday season, if you were expecting to grab a deal in the store right after your turkey and stuffing, rethink the plan: many of the big national chains will be taking the day off. That means you'll either wait until Black Friday, shop online, or help your community by shopping local on Shop Small Saturday.

Get our free mobile app

The upside? Less frantic shopping chaos that brings out the worst of us on Thanksgiving. The bad news? If you forgot cranberry sauce, your Turkey Day shopping options will be limited.

Which Chains Are Closed (and Which Aren’t)

Thanksgiving Day closures are now a part of the regular retail calendar rather than the expectation of shopping on a national holiday. Thanks to TheBlackFriday.com, we've put together a list of the dozens of retailers who won't be open on Thanksgiving, but you'll bet they'll be open bright and early on Black Friday to take your money:

• Walmart
• Best Buy
• Target
• Kohl's
• Lowe's
• Sam's Club
• JCPenney
• Macy's
• GameStop
• The Home Depot
• Costco
• ACE
• Ashley
• BJ's
• Barnes & Noble
• Bath & Body Works
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Blain's Farm & Fleet
• Bloomingdale's
• Build-a-Bear Workshop
• Burlington
• Christopher and Banks
• Dick's
• DSW
• Dunham's Sports
• Farm & Home Supply
• Five Below
• Fleet Farm
• Guitar Center
• Harbor Freight
• Hobby Lobby
• Ikea
• Jos A. Bank
• La-Z-Boy
• Menards
• Michaels
• Neiman Marcus
• Nordstrom
• Office Depot / Office Max
• Old Navy
• Pet Supplies Plus
• PetSmart
• Petco
• Pier 1
• Staples
• Stein Mart
• Tractor Supply Company
• True Value
• ULTA
• Under Armour
• Value City Furniture
• Victoria's Secret
• West Marine
• World Market

RELATED: Two New Toys R’ Us Holiday Stores Launch in Michigan

Missing from the list? Meijer, which in 2024 had limited hours (6 a.m. to 1 p.m.) to accommodate last-minute Thanksgiving Day grocery shopping, may very well continue that tradition this year.