Major Retailers Open on Thanksgiving 2024
Many large U.S. retailers opened doors on Thanksgiving 2024, with several starting at 5:00 p.m. local time or earlier. Walmart opened at 5:00 p.m., Target at 6:00 p.m., and Best Buy at 5:00 p.m. on the holiday, according to the latest published schedules. Kohl's, Macy's, and JCPenney also listed Thanksgiving openings, while some smaller chains remained closed. For a current list of participating stores and exact hours, see the official Thanksgiving opening schedules from major retailers Forbes.
Online shopping remained available throughout Thanksgiving 2024, with Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Best Buy offering early digital deals. Retailers often matched in-store Thanksgiving hours with extended online checkout windows and curbside pickup. The National Retail Federation reported that a growing share of holiday spending shifted to digital channels, reducing the need for in-store visits on the holiday itself.
Thanksgiving 2024 Store Hours and Shopping Trends
Thanksgiving 2024 store hours varied by brand, with most opening in the late afternoon and closing late evening. Department stores such as Macy's and Kohl's typically opened at 6:00 p.m., while big-box chains like Walmart and Target started earlier at 5:00 p.m. Best Buy and smaller specialty retailers followed similar late-afternoon schedules, and grocery stores often had shortened holiday hours. For official hours and doorbuster details, check each retailer's Thanksgiving page, such as Target's holiday hours overview Target.
Consumer spending data from the National Retail Federation and Adobe Analytics showed strong early holiday demand in 2024, with Thanksgiving online sales rising year over year. Mobile traffic and buy-online-pickup-in-store orders increased, and many shoppers used Thanksgiving evening to start holiday gift purchases. Inflation-sensitive categories such as electronics, toys, and home goods drove much of the Thanksgiving traffic, both in stores and online.
How to Find Current Thanksgiving Store Openings
To find which stores are open on Thanksgiving, check each retailer's official website, mobile app, or customer service line for the latest hours. Major chains publish Thanksgiving schedules weeks in advance, and third-party roundups compile store-by-store openings and closings. Search for specific store names plus "Thanksgiving hours" to get the most current information, and verify any changes before traveling. For a consolidated list of store openings, see retailer schedules on trusted shopping and consumer news sites Forbes.
Publicly traded retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy file holiday schedules and sales data with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where investors and analysts review Thanksgiving and holiday revenue guidance. These filings can confirm expected store openings, promotional timing, and inventory plans for the Thanksgiving weekend. To access official company disclosures, visit the SEC's EDGAR system SEC.