Walmart will close stores on Thanksgiving to thank associates who 'stepped up' during coronavirus

[mystery-ak]

Walmart will close stores on Thanksgiving to thank associates who 'stepped up' during coronavirus
By Kaelan Deese - 07/21/20 12:11 PM EDT

Walmart announced Tuesday that it plans to keep all stores closed on Thanksgiving Day as a nod of appreciation for workers who "stepped up" during the coronavirus outbreak.

The changes will affect Walmart and Sam's Club stores and mark a turn from the company's typical tradition of kickstarting Black Friday sales a day early, Business Insider reported.

"We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones," John Furner, president and chief executive of Walmart US, said in a statement. "We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts."


Furner added that the idea for remaining closed on Thanksgiving this year, Nov. 26, came from a store supervisor in Texas.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/508309-walmart-will-close-stores-on-thanksgiving-to-thank-associates-who-stepped-up

[libertybele]

I think this is a wonderful gesture.  I also noted in the article that Walmart announced  it would pay out a third round of pandemic bonuses to workers, ranging between $150 to $300.

That is awesome!

[jmyrlefuller]

They can sit home and watch the—nope, parade's cancelled... Oh, at least there's—nope, football's cancelled... Well, at least you have your fa—nope, no gatherings of any kind, because the second wave's here...

What a gesture. 

[FeelNoPain]

I think this is a wonderful gesture.  I also noted in the article that Walmart announced  it would pay out a third round of pandemic bonuses to workers, ranging between $150 to $300.

That is awesome!

I agree wholeheartedly.
I've always been a generous tipper because surviving on tips is how I put myself through college obtaining my undergrad degree and one never forgets the struggle. But during this pandemic, I've been so grateful for these workers that I've been tipping like a Trump. Need another stimulus check from Big Poppa Trump to keep up the pretense.

[libertybele]

They can sit home and watch the—nope, parade's cancelled... Oh, at least there's—nope, football's cancelled... Well, at least you have your fa—nope, no gatherings of any kind, because the second wave's here...

What a gesture. 

Gee, I don't know most people would welcome a day off that they thought they had to work. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite meals of the entire year to cook.  Turkey with sausage dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry salad, broccoli or squash  casserole, mashed sweet potatoes and zucchini bread followed by pumpkin and pecan pie or pumpkin maple cheesecake.  Even if I had no one to share Thanksgiving with, I'd still cook it and enjoy it!

No football, I could care less.  No parades, my hubby can't stand parades.  A good ole classic movie is always welcome and a walk around the park after that delicious Thanksgiving meal is great. 

So, good for the people at Walmart, they can enjoy their hard earned day off and celebrate Thanksgiving as they see fit. 

[FeelNoPain]

They can sit home and watch the—nope, parade's cancelled... Oh, at least there's—nope, football's cancelled... Well, at least you have your fa—nope, no gatherings of any kind, because the second wave's here...

What a gesture. 

I don't envy the workers tasked with trying to enforce Social Distancing during Black Friday.

[libertybele]

I don't envy the workers tasked with trying to enforce Social Distancing during Black Friday.

Yet another reason to enjoy their Thanksgiving day that they have off.  That's another 4 months away ... who knows ... we might have even more reason to be thankful.

[berdie]

Yet another reason to enjoy their Thanksgiving day that they have off.  That's another 4 months away ... who knows ... we might have even more reason to be thankful.

Yes...we  may! I just hope Walmart is paying the workers for that day...as well as the bonuses. Those folks need to be fully appreciated.

[Applewood]

They can sit home and watch the—nope, parade's cancelled... Oh, at least there's—nope, football's cancelled... Well, at least you have your fa—nope, no gatherings of any kind, because the second wave's here...

What a gesture. 

My brother and SIL host the major holiday gatherings -- Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.  They canceled Easter dinner due to COVID, but really, I see no reason why our family can't get together.  There are only six of us and as long as we all stay COVID-free, what's the problem?  Time to loosen the restrictions and get together with our loved ones.  This isolation chit is getting old.

But it's up to my brother and sister-in-law and if they still feel uneasy about having us all at their house, then I will do what I did for Easter -- binge watch some movies and tv series, read a couple of magazines and, if the weather is agreeable, go for a walk.  Always something to do, or if not, do nothing.

Personally, I believe dragging retail workers away from their loved ones to work on a holiday is wrong.  Maybe by closing on Thanksgiving, Walmart will be taking the lead in reversing these holiday openings for all retailers.