Walmart makes Thanksgiving closure announcement for 5th year in a row with statement concerning employees

Walmart will be closing it's doors on Thanksgiving Day for the fifth year in a row.

The retail giant has announced its holiday plans with a welcome day off included for staff to spend the special day with their loved ones. The company said: “Walmart stores will be closed once again on Thanksgiving Day so associates can spend the day with their families."

While the supermarket chain used to open on Thanksgiving to allow customers the chance to get that all important last-minute item for their dinners they changed their business profile in recent years.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic the Walmart chain closed their stores and has closed for the holiday ever since.

Walmart told USA Today in 2020 that the stores had not closed for Thanksgiving since the 1980s and that Christmas was the only holiday when their stores closed prior to making the change.

The holiday opening hours have not yet been released. Thanksgiving falls on November 28 this year and Target, ALDI, and Costco will also be closing their doors for the holiday.

It comes after US superstore Walmart's Sam's Club announced that it would raise average hourly wages for nearly 100,000 of its workers.

The change comes as part of a new employee compensation plan that will come into effect ahead of the holiday season rush. Wages for its entry-level workers will now start at $16 per hour - a dollar more than from the $15 minimum that was set three years ago.

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"In an increasingly competitive retail landscape, attracting, hiring and, more importantly, retaining quality talent has become a true competitive advantage," Sam's Club said in the announcement.

he company also ensured that hourly wages will grow at a ‘faster’ rate, rising to between 3% and 6% based on years of service. This change will allow workers to attain the maximum pay rate more quickly.

Sam’s Club expects the average hourly rate for its employees to be above $19, excluding bonuses. The new pay plan will take effect on November 2 this year.