You remember how it used to be. You'd barely finish your second helping of mashed potatoes before someone was checking their watch, grabbing their keys, and sprinting out the door to stand in a line that wrapped around the local Kohl’s. It was a ritual. A chaotic, caffeine-fueled, slightly aggressive ritual.
But then, everything just... stopped.
The Kohl's Thanksgiving shopping blackout isn't some weird conspiracy theory or a temporary glitch. It’s a massive shift in how we spend our holidays. For the sixth year in a row—counting the most recent 2025 season—Kohl’s kept its doors locked tight on Thanksgiving Day. No doorbusters. No $2 towels at 6:00 PM. Just empty parking lots and quiet storefronts.
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The End of an Era (And the Start of the Blackout)
Honestly, it feels like forever ago that Kohl's stayed open on Turkey Day. Back in 2019, they were opening at 5:00 PM on Thursday. Employees were missing dinner, and shoppers were literally eating sandwiches in line.
Then 2020 hit.
The pandemic changed everything, obviously. But while many people thought the closure was just a one-time safety measure to avoid "super-spreader" crowds, it actually signaled a permanent divorce between Kohl's and Thanksgiving Day. Former CEO Michelle Gass basically said at the time that the company needed to adapt to "changing customer expectations."
Translation? People were tired. Workers were burnt out. And frankly, the math was starting to look different.
Why the Kohl's Thanksgiving Shopping Blackout Stuck
You've probably wondered if they're losing a ton of money by staying closed. It’s a fair question. If your competitors are open and you aren't, don't you lose the sale?
Not necessarily.
Retailers like Kohl's, Target, and Walmart realized that the "blackout" doesn't mean people stop spending; it just means they spend differently. Here is why the lights are still off:
- Online Domination: The "blackout" only applies to the physical brick-and-mortar stores. Kohls.com is very much open. In fact, most of those "doorbusters" now go live at midnight on Thursday morning. You can buy a KitchenAid mixer from your couch while wearing pajamas.
- Employee Loyalty: In a tight labor market, telling your 100,000+ associates they can actually stay home with their families is a huge PR and retention win.
- The "Black Friday" Rebrand: By closing Thursday, Kohl's creates more hype for the Friday 5:00 AM opening. It makes Black Friday feel like an event again rather than just the second half of a two-day marathon.
In 2025, Kohl’s doubled down on this by leaning into their "Holiday Quest" and "My List" features. They aren't trying to win the 7:00 PM Thursday slot anymore. They want to win your phone screen all week long.
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Does This Hurt the Bottom Line?
The data is kinda messy here. In the 2025 fiscal reports, Kohl's saw net sales dip slightly—about 2.8%—but their gross margins actually improved.
Running a massive store on a holiday is expensive. You have to pay "holiday pay" (often time-and-a-half), keep the lights and heat blasting, and hire extra security. If you can shift those same customers to shop on Wednesday or Friday—or better yet, online where overhead is lower—the "blackout" actually becomes a smart business move.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Blackout
People think "closed" means "no deals." That's the biggest myth.
The Kohl's Thanksgiving shopping blackout is strictly a physical one. If you wait until Friday morning to look for deals, you’ve probably already missed the best stuff. The "Black Friday Week" event now starts the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Basically, the "Blackout" is just for the building, not the brand.
How to Win the Weekend Anyway
Since the stores aren't opening until Friday at 5:00 AM (local time), you need a game plan that doesn't involve camping in a parking lot on Thursday night.
- The 12:01 AM Rule: Most "in-store" doorbusters hit the website shortly after midnight on Thursday. If you really want that Shark vacuum or the $14.99 sweaters, set an alarm for 12:01 AM CT on Thanksgiving morning.
- Stack the Cash: Kohl's is famous for $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent during this window. This is usually the highest earn rate of the year.
- Self-Pickup is the Hack: Shop online on Thursday during the blackout, select "Self-Pickup," and grab it Friday afternoon. You avoid the 5:00 AM crowds but still get the "in-store" exclusives.
- Check the Sephora Factor: The Sephora at Kohl’s shops have their own set of deals. These often follow different inventory rules, so check those separately on the app.
The reality? The Thanksgiving shopping blackout is here to stay. It’s better for the workers, it’s probably better for your stress levels, and Kohl's seems perfectly happy with the trade-off.
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If you're planning for next year, don't expect the doors to open. Just keep your phone charged and your Kohl's Cash ready.
Actionable Insights for Shoppers:
- Download the App Now: Use the "My List" heart icon to track items before the Thursday online drops.
- Monitor "Holiday Quest": Kohl's has been giving away instant prizes (like $50 Kohl's Cash) just for playing daily in the app leading up to the blackout.
- Check Return Windows: Purchases made in October and November usually have an extended return window through January 31, so don't be afraid to buy early if a price looks good.