Kohl's Won't Let Shoppers Do This in Stores Next Month
Take note of this before you plan a November shopping trip.
Kohl's is fairly well known for the extra steps it takes to help shoppers out. Between Kohl's Cash, free self-pickup, and senior discounts, the department store offers ample opportunities to save time and money while shopping. But now, the retailer just announced that you won't have access to something specific in November, which may make the shopping experience a bit inconvenient. Read on to find out what Kohl's won't let shoppers do in stores next month.
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Kohl's is actively making changes.
Department stores are often thought of as a bit old-fashioned, but Kohl's has been actively catering to new customers. In August, the retailer announced plans to open additional Sephora shops at all Kohl's stores nationwide, appealing to a "younger and more diverse" customer base, CEO Michelle Gass said during an earnings call.
Kohl's also continued its eco-conscious efforts in September by providing free electronic vehicle charging at over 140 stores nationwide. Free charging was in celebration of National Drive Electric Week, spanning from Sept. 23 through Oct. 2, 2022, which is intended "to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more."
The latest change, however, won't thrill some customers—as it may limit your holiday shopping plans.
You won't be able to shop on Nov. 24.
The holidays are fast approaching, along with the biggest shopping day of the year—Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving is typically the best day to score deals and discounts on holiday gifts, and many families have even made Black Friday shopping a part of their holiday traditions.
Some stores opt to open as early as midnight on Black Friday, which falls on Nov. 25 this year, or even on Thanksgiving itself. But according to an Oct. 11 press release, Kohl's stores won't be one of those retailers, as all stores nationwide are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2022.
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This isn't the first time that Kohl's has closed ahead of Black Friday.
Kohl's has been closed on Thanksgiving for the past two years, and in 2021, the retailer was successful even with the one-day closure.
"Last year, Kohl's served millions of customers both in store and online throughout Black Friday week, and we look forward to delivering that same incredible experience to our customers again this year," Kohl's said in the press release, adding that holiday hours and those for "Black Friday week" will be announced at a later date.
If you absolutely need to get your shopping fix in between slices of turkey and pumpkin pie, the retailer confirmed that you can do so via Kohls.com or in the Kohl's app.
Different stores take different approaches to the holiday.
As reported by CBS News, closing on Thanksgiving became more popular in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Closures helped not only to provide employees with much-needed time off, but also kept crowds smaller.
Like Kohl's, Target closed its doors in 2020 and 2021, and in November last year, confirmed that stores would be closed on Thanksgiving Day "moving forward." Best Buy—an extremely popular destination for those looking to save on big-ticket electronics—is also closed on Turkey Day for the third year in a row. JCPenney, Lowe's, Home Depot, Macy's, and even Walmart were closed on Thanksgiving in 2021, according to BlackFriday.com, but shoppers are still waiting on company decisions for this year's holiday.
Other retailers take a different approach and start sales earlier than their competitors. It's rumored that crafters will be able to shop at Michaels from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Thanksgiving, per BlackFriday.com, and you might also be able to get your clothing fix at Old Navy starting at 3 p.m. Neither retailer has officially confirmed its hours for the 2022 holiday season.
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One company has decided to forgo Black Friday altogether.
While several big chains are willing to close on Thanksgiving, few are willing to give up in-store sales on Black Friday. Standing out from the crowd is outdoor retailer REI, which will be closed on Black Friday "for good," per an Oct. 4 press release.
The decision to close on Black Friday is part of REI's #OptOutside movement, which "has always been about prioritizing the experience of our employees—choosing the benefits of time outside over a day of consumption and sales," Eric Artz, president and CEO of REI Co-op, said in the release.
In addition to closing on Thanksgiving, REI has closed on Black Friday dating all the way back to 2015. Company employees are paid to spend time outside instead of working in stores, and while customers can place online orders, they aren't processed or fulfilled until the next day.
"When we first introduced this movement, it was considered revolutionary for a retail brand, but we felt it was the right thing to do for our members and employees," Artz said. "Making Opt Outside an annual observance will serve as a yearly reminder of this commitment to doing the right thing for the co-op community."
