Many retailers to close stores, reduce hours for Thanksgiving
Many retailers, including Walgreens and CVS are closing stores or cutting back on hours for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Walgreens announced that most Walgreens locations will be closed. Nearly all 700 Walgreens 24-hour locations will remain open on Thanksgiving to help meet the healthcare needs of its customers. This is the first time Walgreens has closed stores on Thanksgiving Day to give time back to its workforce, the company said.
“We have consistently heard from our team members—who are the face of Walgreens—that time off is a meaningful way for us to demonstrate we value them,” said Tracey Brown, executive vice president, president of Walgreens retail & chief customer officer. “We heard them, are committed to listening to their feedback and are dedicated to doing what is right for them. We hope they can enjoy the holiday and spend time with their loved ones.”
Walgreens team members scheduled to work on Thanksgiving at 24-hour locations are essential in delivering care to their communities and serve as a critical destination for healthcare services, including prescription access, pharmacist advice and medication management. We are grateful to them for continuing to care for our customers on this holiday, the company said.
[Read more: Walgreens urges individuals to get vaccines ahead of holiday gatherings]
During respiratory illness season, Walgreens pharmacy team members are especially critical to communities by providing patients with life-saving vaccines, COVID-19 and flu testing, health screenings and needed medications—in some instances even serving as a primary point of care for individuals who have limited access to other healthcare professionals and services, Walgreenss said.
“We know that this season comes with immense pressures to provide the highest level of healthcare and service from our pharmacies. Our change in operations this year is intended to acknowledge the dedication of our store team members and leadership, pharmacists and pharmacy techs who are working incredibly hard to deliver great customer and patient care. We’re grateful for all they do each day,” Brown said.
A small number of Walgreens distribution centers and other sites will also continue to operate on Thanksgiving Day, including supply chain and centralized teams. These team members play an essential role in the company’s readiness to deliver healthcare and convenience for customers and patients leading up to Thanksgiving and through the holiday weekend. Locations that are closed Thanksgiving Day will operate regular posted hours on Wednesday, Nov. 22 as well as Friday, Nov. 24.
CVS and Rite Aid will operate on reduced hours, according to an Axios report, which noted that a majority of the nation's largest retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving for the fourth year in a row, including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and department stores.
CVS said in a statement to Axios that like last year it will "be closing all of our non-24 hour CVS Pharmacy locations early on Thanksgiving Day."
[Read more: Tim Wentworth shares vision on first day as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance]
The majority of Rite Aid's stores "will be open for the holidays with varying hours of operation" but its pharmacies will be closed on Thanksgiving, per the Axios report.