Are you planning to brave the crowds for a little retail therapy on Thanksgiving Day? As of the most recent holiday in November 2025, the landscape of holiday shopping has dramatically shifted, with the vast majority of major clothing and department stores choosing to remain closed. This marks a continued, strong trend away from the old "doorbuster" tradition of opening on the holiday itself, allowing employees time with their families. This article provides a complete, up-to-date list of the few clothing and apparel-adjacent retailers that kept their doors open, along with a deep dive into the major players who have officially opted out of Thanksgiving Day shopping.

For shoppers seeking to snag early holiday deals or last-minute apparel, the options for in-person shopping on Thanksgiving Day 2025 were extremely limited. The focus for most major retailers has fully transitioned to online sales beginning in early November, making Black Friday the official kickoff for in-store holiday shopping. This closure trend reflects a growing emphasis on employee well-being and a recognition that the bulk of holiday spending now occurs digitally or on the following day. We've compiled the essential guide to where you could—and couldn't—shop for clothing and apparel items on the holiday.

The Exclusive List: Clothing and Apparel Stores Open on Thanksgiving Day 2025

The list of dedicated clothing or major department stores open on Thanksgiving Day is shrinking every year, making the few exceptions notable. In 2025, the retailers that did open typically operated on reduced holiday hours, catering to customers looking for specific gear or early holiday sales. Always verify specific local hours before traveling, as mall locations or franchise stores can sometimes vary their schedules.

• Old Navy: One of the most consistent apparel retailers to remain open on Thanksgiving Day, Old Navy continued its tradition in 2025. They typically open their doors early to offer significant sales on family apparel, outerwear, and accessories, serving as a primary destination for those kicking off their holiday clothing shopping early. The store’s family-friendly sales and early start are a key part of their holiday strategy.
• Bass Pro Shops: While not a pure clothing store, Bass Pro Shops is a major retailer of outdoor apparel, hunting gear, and casual wear. In 2025, most locations were open with reduced hours, generally from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This makes it a key destination for shoppers looking for specialized outerwear, boots, and rugged clothing items on the holiday.
• Big Lots: This retailer offers a variety of products, including a selection of apparel, socks, and seasonal clothing items. Most Big Lots stores were open on Thanksgiving, often from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., making it an option for shoppers needing quick, essential clothing or general merchandise.

The Major Retail Shift: Why Department and Apparel Giants Are Closing Their Doors

The most significant retail trend of the mid-2020s is the definitive move by major corporations to keep their physical stores closed on Thanksgiving Day. This decision is driven by a combination of factors: prioritizing employee well-being, shifting consumer behavior toward online shopping, and consolidating the in-store rush to Black Friday.

For shoppers accustomed to the Black Friday "doorbuster" chaos starting on Thursday evening, this new reality means a necessary adjustment to their holiday shopping schedule. The focus has shifted to massive online-only sales that often begin weeks before the holiday, allowing consumers to purchase deeply discounted items like sweaters, jackets, athletic wear, and holiday dresses from the comfort of their home.

A Comprehensive List of Major Clothing and Department Stores Closed on Thanksgiving 2025

The list of major retailers that remained closed on Thanksgiving Day 2025 is extensive, confirming that the "closed for the holiday" policy is now the industry standard for the apparel and department store sectors. If you were looking for clothing, accessories, or home goods at these locations, you had to wait until Black Friday morning.

Major Department Store Closures:

• Macy's: The iconic department store, famous for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, has firmly committed to closing its physical locations on the holiday.
• Kohl's: A major player in apparel and home goods, Kohl's remained closed, directing shoppers to their online deals.
• JCPenney: Continuing the trend, JCPenney kept all stores closed, with plans to open early on Black Friday.
• Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack: Both the full-line department store and its discount outlet were closed, emphasizing the luxury and mid-tier retail commitment to the holiday closure.
• Belk: This regional department store also joined the ranks of those prioritizing employee time off.
• Neiman Marcus: The high-end fashion retailer was closed, with sales kicking off the following day.

Major Apparel and Specialty Retailer Closures:

• Target: Target, a massive retailer of clothing, shoes, and accessories, has been a leader in the closure movement, keeping its doors shut on Thanksgiving.
• Walmart: While a massive big-box retailer, Walmart is a primary source for affordable clothing and is expected to remain closed on Thanksgiving, a policy that began in recent years.
• Burlington: The popular coat and apparel retailer was closed for the holiday.
• Dick's Sporting Goods: A key source for athletic wear, outerwear, and footwear, Dick's remained closed.
• REI: The outdoor gear and apparel retailer is famous for its "Opt Outside" campaign, a long-standing commitment to closing on Thanksgiving and encouraging employees and customers to spend the day outdoors.
• Best Buy: Although primarily electronics, Best Buy sells a large amount of wearable tech and accessories, and they were also closed.
• Costco: The wholesale giant, which sells a significant amount of casual clothing and outerwear, was closed.
• Home Depot: While not a clothing store, it's a major retailer that was closed, confirming the widespread nature of the trend.

Topical Authority: The Future of Thanksgiving Shopping and Black Friday

The retail strategy for the holiday season has fundamentally changed, shifting the focus of in-store shopping entirely to Black Friday. This move is not just about employee satisfaction; it's a smart business decision that recognizes the power of the digital marketplace.

The Digital Dominance: The holiday shopping season now effectively begins the moment Halloween ends. Retailers are launching their Black Friday sales online in the first weeks of November, offering deep discounts on fashion items, winter coats, boots, and accessories long before Thanksgiving Day. This strategy alleviates the pressure on physical stores and allows consumers to shop at their leisure.

The Black Friday Rebirth: By closing on Thursday, retailers ensure that Black Friday remains the single, highly-anticipated event for in-store shopping. This concentrates the foot traffic, creating the excitement and urgency that drive massive sales. Shoppers are now queuing up on Friday morning for the best in-store deals on denim, formal wear, sportswear, and designer brands.

Looking Ahead to 2026: All signs point to a continuation of this closure trend. Consumers should expect that all major department stores—including Macy's, Kohl's, and JCPenney—and big-box retailers like Target and Walmart will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day 2026. The few exceptions, like Old Navy, will likely continue to cater to the small segment of shoppers looking for the earliest possible in-store deals on clothing. The best advice for holiday apparel shopping remains: shop online early, or wait for the doors to open on Black Friday.