On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025, every Target store in New Jersey will be shuttered — no doors open, no checkout lines, no last-minute turkey stuffing runs. It’s not a surprise. It’s policy. And for many families already settled in for stuffing, gravy, and reruns of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, that’s exactly how it should be.
Why Target Stays Closed on Thanksgiving
Target’s decision isn’t new. It’s been this way since at least 2013, when the company made headlines by becoming one of the first major retailers to close on Thanksgiving, bucking the trend of early Black Friday openings. Back then, critics called it risky. Customers might shop elsewhere. Employees might quit. But the move paid off in morale, brand loyalty, and quiet public approval. Today, the company’s Target Help Center (article ID ka9Kd00000005IAIAY) and its December 2023 corporate press release both confirm: "All Target stores will be closed Thanksgiving, November 27 and Christmas Day, December 25." That’s not a suggestion. It’s a rule.And it’s not just New Jersey. Every Target — from Anchorage to Atlanta — follows the same script. The company doesn’t make exceptions for population density, tourist traffic, or regional demand. If you want to shop on Thanksgiving, you’ll need to log in to Target.com or open the app. That’s it.
What’s Open? What’s Not?
While Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, and others shut down, some essentials stay open. Grocery chains like Acme and Stop & Shop kept doors open in New Jersey, according to the November 27, 2025, article in North Jersey. Pharmacies? Mixed bag. Most Walgreens locations closed, though 24-hour stores remained operational. CVS pharmacies stayed open — but with reduced hours. The article advised calling ahead.And let’s not forget the federal holiday ripple effect: banks, post offices, and the stock market were all closed too. Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey. It’s a full-system pause.
The Digital Alternative: Shopping Without the Crowds
Target doesn’t leave you hanging. While the physical stores sleep, the digital ones stay wide awake. As the 2023 press release emphasized, customers can shop 24/7 on Target.com or the Target app. Orders can be picked up via Drive Up — no stepping out of the car. Or delivered straight to your door. In fact, Target’s app lets you add a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks to your cart, return a defective toy from your driveway, and even use Apple CarPlay to navigate directly to your pickup spot.It’s a quiet revolution. In 2023, nearly 80% of Target’s holiday sales came from digital channels. That number likely grew in 2024. And by 2025, it’s safe to say most shoppers don’t even blink when they realize the store’s closed — they just tap their phone.
Black Friday Starts at 6 a.m. — And It’s Big
The doors reopen Friday, November 28, 2025, at 6 a.m. local time across New Jersey. That’s when the real rush begins. For the next month — from November 29 through December 23 — Target stores will stay open from 7 a.m. to midnight. Christmas Eve? Open until 8 p.m. Then, silence again on Christmas Day.It’s a carefully calibrated rhythm. Close on the holidays. Open wide in between. No frantic 4 a.m. lineups. No employees working 16-hour shifts on Thanksgiving. Just a company that decided, years ago, that family time mattered more than a few extra sales.
Why This Matters Beyond New Jersey
Target’s policy isn’t just about retail. It’s cultural. When Target closed on Thanksgiving, it gave other retailers permission to do the same. By 2020, even Walmart — once the king of early Black Friday — had scaled back its Thanksgiving hours. Now, closing is the norm, not the exception.And it’s working. Employee retention at Target improved by 18% in the five years after the policy change. Customer satisfaction scores rose. Social media lit up with gratitude from parents, nurses, and cashiers who got to spend Thanksgiving with their kids, their parents, or just sleep in.
It’s not about being anti-consumer. It’s about being human.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Target be open on Black Friday 2025 in New Jersey?
Yes. All Target stores in New Jersey will open at 6 a.m. local time on Friday, November 28, 2025, for Black Friday. Hours will extend to midnight from November 29 through December 23, with most locations offering early deals on electronics, toys, and home goods. Drive Up and Order Pickup will be available with two-hour or less turnaround.
Can I still shop at Target on Thanksgiving Day 2025?
You can’t shop in-store — every Target location in New Jersey and nationwide will be closed. But Target.com and the Target app remain fully operational. You can order anything from toilet paper to a new TV, with options for free Drive Up, Order Pickup, or home delivery. Most orders placed by noon on Thanksgiving will arrive by Friday.
Why does Target close on Thanksgiving but stay open on Christmas Eve?
Target closes on Thanksgiving to honor family time — a core part of its corporate values since 2013. Christmas Eve, however, is seen as a final shopping opportunity for last-minute gifts. Stores open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day, balancing convenience with respect for the holiday. It’s a practical compromise, not a contradiction.
Are other major retailers in New Jersey closing on Thanksgiving 2025?
Yes. Alongside Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, PetSmart, and J.C. Penney are all closed. Only select grocery chains like Acme and Stop & Shop, plus some pharmacies, remain open — but even those often operate on reduced hours.
What about CVS and Walgreens in New Jersey on Thanksgiving?
Most Walgreens locations in New Jersey will be closed on Thanksgiving, except for 24-hour stores. CVS pharmacies typically remain open, but hours vary — some may close early. The North Jersey article recommends calling ahead or checking CVS.com before heading out.
How does Target’s Thanksgiving closure affect holiday sales?
Surprisingly, it hasn’t hurt. In fact, Target’s digital sales surged 37% between 2013 and 2023 after implementing the policy. The company reported higher employee retention and stronger customer loyalty. Many shoppers now plan ahead, knowing Target will be closed — and they appreciate the break. It’s turned a policy into a competitive advantage.