WMT Walmart Inc

By Sarah Nassauer and Chris Wack 

Walmart Inc. said it would close stores on Thanksgiving Day this year, in another indication of how retailers are adapting their business 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. Walmart has been open for business on Thanksgiving for more than 30 straight years, a spokeswoman said.

"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 in an email to employees.

The idea to close stores and free up employees for Thanksgiving came from a midlevel manager in a Texas store, Mr. Furner said. "We know it has been a trying year," he told staff.

Walmart also will close its Sam's Club locations on Thanksgiving.

Some retailers have limited sales events in stores to reduce crowding amid the pandemic. Home Depot Inc. canceled its in-store sales event for the spring, typically the retailer's busiest season as consumers turn to gardening and home-improvement projects. Amazon.com Inc. pushed back its Prime Day sales event scheduled for this month.

Walmart also said Tuesday it will pay out another special cash bonus to staff at its stores and distribution centers in the U.S. as a reward for serving customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The retailer said the bonuses will be $300 for full-time hourly employees, and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary workers. Managers and assistant managers in its retail outlets and drivers are among other workers in line for a bonus. The company said its total payout will be $428 million.

Walmart said that, excluding salaried office staff, those employed by the company as of July 31 will qualify for the bonuses. The payout, set for Aug. 20, marks the third special bonus for Walmart employees in 2020 for a total of $1.1 billion in payments.

Some retailers are increasing pay permanently as coronavirus-related pay raises and bonus handouts stretch for months. Best Buy Co. said Tuesday it will raise starting pay for U.S. workers to $15 an hour starting Aug. 2. Target Corp. raised its starting wage to $15 an hour earlier this month, permanently extending a temporary increase implemented during the pandemic and following through ahead of schedule on a pledge made years ago.

Best Buy also said Tuesday sales have grown around 2.5% during the current quarter through July 18 compared with the same period last year. The retailer in mid-June began to reopen stores for shopping, in addition to online buying options. Company sales are up 15% through July 18 since that time, the company said.

Walmart said its stores and Sam's Club locations will operate normal hours Wednesday, Nov. 25. Information for store and club hours on Friday, Nov. 27, will be issued at a later date.

Write to Sarah Nassauer at sarah.nassauer@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 21, 2020 18:33 ET (22:33 GMT)

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