Covid-19 Prompts Walmart to Close Stores on Thanksgiving Day
July 21 2020 - 12:15PM
Dow Jones News
By Sarah Nassauer and Chris Wack
Walmart Inc. said it will close stores on Thanksgiving Day this
year, in another indication of how retailers are shifting business
practices in response to a global pandemic that shows few signs of
easing.
Thanksgiving typically kicks off the holiday shopping season in
the U.S., with shoppers crowding aisles to grab limited-time
discounts on Christmas-themed pajamas, televisions and toys.
"We know holiday shopping will be different this year, and we
will be managing sales events differently," John Furner, Walmart's
U.S. chief executive, said an email to staff. The idea to close
stores on Thanksgiving came from a midlevel manager in a Texas
store, Mr. Furner said. "We know it's been a trying year," he told
staff.
Walmart said its Sam's Club locations also will be closed on
Thanksgiving.
Some retailers have limited sales events in stores to reduce
crowding amid the pandemic. Home Depot Inc. canceled its in-store
spring sales event, which falls during the home-improvement
retailer's largest sales season as shoppers stock up on gardening
and home-improvement supplies for the spring. Amazon.com Inc.
pushed back its Prime Day sales event.
Walmart also said Tuesday it will pay out another special cash
bonus to store, club, distribution center and fulfillment center
associates as a reward for serving customers during the coronavirus
pandemic.
The retailer said the bonuses will be $300 for full-time hourly
associates, and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary associates.
Drivers, managers and assistant managers in stores, clubs, and
Health & Wellness also will receive a bonus. It will add up to
$428 million for the company.
Walmart said U.S. associates, excluding salaried office
associates, employed by the company as of July 31 will qualify for
the bonuses, which will be paid on Aug. 20. This is the third
special bonus Walmart has given to associates in 2020, totaling
$1.1 billion in bonuses so far this year, in addition to the
regular incentive it provides to frontline associates on a
quarterly basis.
The company said its stores and Sam's Club locations will
operate normal hours Wednesday, Nov. 25. Information for store and
club hours Friday, Nov. 27, will be shared at a later date.
Write to Sarah Nassauer at sarah.nassauer@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 21, 2020 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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