By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — With Thanksgiving and the official launch of the holiday shopping seasonAmericans will again be consumed with the annual trifecta of turkey, travel. travel and transactions — lots of them.
While most big US retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Daymany will open early the following day — Black Fridaythe unofficial start of the holiday gift-buying season and the biggest shopping day of the year.
Here’s what is open and closed thisThanksgivingand a travel forecast from the experts at AAA auto club.
Government Buildings
Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.
Banks and the stock market
US stock markets and banks are closed Thursday; However, markets reopen on Friday for a shortened trading day, wrapping up at 1 pm Eastern.
Package Delivery
Standard FedEx and UPS Pickup and delivery services will not be available on Thanksgiving, although some critical services will be offered at certain locations.
Retailers
Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving but most stores will open at 6 am local time on Black Friday.
Target will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will open at 6 am local time on Black Friday.
Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will have extended hours from 6 am to 11 pm on Black Friday.
Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, but many stores will be open as early as 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Check your local location for hours.
Costco will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will reopen on Black Friday. Check your local store’s website for hours.
CVS will close early on Thanksgiving. You can call your local store or check store and pharmacy hours on the CVS Pharmacy website.
Walgreens will close most of its stores on Thanksgiving. Check your local store for more information.
Grocery Stores
Most national grocery store chains are open on Thanksgiving for those last-minute turkey day needsalthough many close early. Check your local store for details.
Travel
With most schools closed Thursday and Friday, the long Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
AAA projects a record 79.9 million travelers would head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA’s forecast included the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers.
This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019.
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