Though for a few years there it really looked like it might simply become retail standard, it seems that starting the Thanksgiving weekend sales crush on Thanksgiving may fizzle out after all.
According to reporting over the weekend, an increasing number of big retailers are actually taking the national day of thanksgiving off. So far, the known opt-outs include Home Depot, Nordstrom , Costco, BJ’s, Fred’s Pharmacy, GameStop, Harbor Freight, Lowe’s, Pier 1 Imports, Petco, PetSmart, Sam’s Club, T.J.Maxx, Tractor Supply Co. and Dillard’s. All have announced some variations on plans to celebrate the holiday and focus their efforts on Black Friday sales.
And then, there are the remaining question marks: Target, Kohl’s and the one everyone watches for — Walmart.
Already known — the toys to be pushed this season. Elmo is back, with a Love2Learn Elmo that comes with an app to help young kids learn numbers, colors and letters. Target is doubling down on STEM-based toys, as well as the year-to-year beloveds of Barbie and LEGOs. Kohl’s is doubling down on American Girl and WellieWishers.
Walmart has broken up its toys into child categories: dreamers, humanitarians and thrill seekers are all accounted for.
