Walmart Stores In MD To Remain Closed On Thanksgiving This Year

MARYLAND — Walmart announced Tuesday that it will close all stores on Thanksgiving this year, including its nearly 50 locations across Maryland. The holiday will mark the first time the stores have been shut on Thanksgiving in decades.

"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 CEO of Walmart US, said in a statement. "We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts."

Walmart operates 48 stores in Maryland, where it employs more than 17,000 people. It also owns 11 Sam's Club stores.

Even though Sam's Club stores remained closed on Thanksgiving, Walmart stores have kicked off Black Friday sales a day early, drawing huge crowds.

Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 26 this year. Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations will operate according to their normal hours on Nov. 25, according to a news release, which said hours for the day after Thanksgiving will be shared at a later date.

This will be the first time since the late 1980s that Walmart has shut its doors on Turkey Day, a spokesperson for the company told Fortune.

The company also announced that it will pay out another special cash bonus to store, club, distribution center and fulfillment center associates for their ongoing contributions and dedication to serving customers, members and communities during this unprecedented time.

The bonus will be $300 for full-time hourly associates and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary associates. Drivers, managers and assistant managers in stores, clubs, DCs, FCs and Health & Wellness will also receive a bonus. It will add up to approximately $428 million.

"Our associates have been working at an incredible pace, they've solved problems, and they've set an amazing example for others," Furner said. "To further appreciate their incredible work, we are pleased to share another special cash bonus this summer."

U.S. associates (excluding salaried office associates) employed by the company as of July 31 will qualify, and the payout will be made on Aug. 20.

This is the third special bonus Walmart has given associates this year, totaling $1.1 billion in bonuses so far, in addition to the regular incentive it provides to frontline associates on a quarterly basis.

"Since the beginning of this pandemic, I've been so proud to see how our associates have pulled together to take care of each other and our members," President and CEO of Sam's Club Kathryn McLay said in a statement. "These are extraordinary times, and our associates have lifted each other up in extraordinary ways, and we are so grateful."

See Also:

• Masks Ordered At MD Walmart, Kohl's, Harris Teeter, Target Stores
• These Maryland Stores Were Open On Thanksgiving 2019

— By Abhinanda Datta and Elizabeth Janney