Target announced that it will close temporarily 1,978 of its U.S. stores on Sunday, April 20, in observance of Easter. The closure does not indicate the shutting down of stores, but instead, applies as part of the company’s holiday tradition so that employees will have time off for family.
RetailWire and The U.S. Sun confirmed the closure from an official statement released by the company, ensuring all customers that normal operations would resume before and after the holidays. “Customers can expect normal business hours on April 19 and check Target.com or the store’s mobile app for local information,” read the statement.
Part of a broader retail trend
Target is not alone in this venture. Other big names in the industry include Costco, Best Buy, Apple, TJ Maxx, Sam’s Club, Publix, Marshalls, HomeGoods, JCPenney, and Macy’s, which will close on Easter Sunday.
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This is another part of a growing trend of retailers taking time off in recognition of holidays to cultivate employee well-being. All stores close during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This move captures the role of Target in terms of staff empowerment and work-life balance.
Still shopping? Some stores open
Many end-of-the-last-minute shoppers or those celebrating Easter differently will still find several retailers operating on April 20. These include Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, 7-Eleven, Dollar General, Trader Joe’s, Home Depot, Rite Aid, BJ’s Wholesale, Family Dollar, and Sprouts. These companies will be observing holiday work hours, whether regular or adjusted, for those needing to access basic commodities.
Closures reflect changing consumer and workplace values
It is indicative of the evolving corporate value system. In such a way, more and more brands are realizing the significance of having rest as well as family time — a move that seems to touch both employees and consumers.
In similar fashion, Lowe’s will have all of its 1,700 stores shut on Easter Sunday, and Marshalls will close its operations at more than 1,200 locations. However, those closures are not only a symbolic part of a much larger cultural shift in the American retail landscape at the moment.
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There is no direct Cause for immediate panic: This is only temporary
A few reports causing confusion regarding Target “closing 2,000 stores” made it a clarifying point that it was not a permanent closure of stores. Such closure is termed temporary as a holiday policy of the retailer, and normal trading will resume on Monday April 21st.
At last
For those planning to visit Target during Easter weekend, do so before Saturday, April 19. The store hours can still be verified as always on the app or their website. This temporary slowdown, a reminder of how large corporations also learn to slow down – once in a while – is going to be.
And stay tuned for updates on retail as well as the holiday operation schedule from different parts of the country.
