When Aldi announced its 2025 holiday schedule, it didn’t just confirm what shoppers already suspected — it reinforced a quiet but powerful philosophy: family comes before profit. All 2,100+ Aldi stores across 38 U.S. states will shut down completely on , reopening only at 9 a.m. on . The move isn’t new. It’s consistent. And it’s becoming increasingly rare in an industry where Thanksgiving sales are a billion-dollar race.
Why Aldi Stands Apart
While Whole Foods stays open until 1 p.m., Kroger closes at 4 p.m., and Food Lion keeps shelves stocked until 3 p.m. or later, Aldi pulls the plug entirely. No exceptions. No ‘limited hours.’ No last-minute turkey runs. The company’s official Help Center (updated November 5, 2025) lists only four holidays each year when every store closes: New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. That’s it. For a retailer that operates on razor-thin margins and hyper-efficient logistics, this is a bold statement.
"It’s not about saving money on labor," said one longtime Aldi district manager in Ohio, speaking anonymously. "It’s about respect. We don’t ask our team to choose between their families and their paycheck on Thanksgiving. If you work here, you get that day off — no questions, no pressure. And honestly? People notice. They appreciate it."
The decision aligns Aldi with a small but growing cohort of retailers who prioritize employee well-being over holiday sales spikes. Costco, for example, closes on seven days annually — including Thanksgiving. Trader Joe’s shuts for three. But Aldi’s consistency stands out. Unlike Walmart or Target, which open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday, Aldi doesn’t even open on Thanksgiving Eve. It’s not a strategy to drive traffic — it’s a statement of values.
What Shoppers Need to Know
For customers, this means planning ahead. Aldi’s October 15, 2025, announcement of $40 full Thanksgiving meal packages — complete with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie — was a clear signal: Buy now, or go without. Shoppers who waited until the last minute in past years found themselves scrambling. This year, with inflation still hovering around 3.2% and grocery prices up 8.7% since 2020, that pressure is even greater.
"I’ve been buying my whole Thanksgiving spread at Aldi for five years," said Maria Lopez, a mother of three in Chicago. "Last year, I ran out of cranberry sauce at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. I didn’t want to risk it again. I bought two extra cans on October 20. I’m not going to be the one crying because the store was closed."
While Aldi’s nationwide closure is firm, individual store hours on other holidays vary. Memorial Day, July 4, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve all feature reduced hours — typically closing between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. — but no store shuts entirely except for those four major holidays. Customers are advised to use Aldi’s store locator tool for exact times, though the Thanksgiving closure is universal.
Behind the Policy: A Company Culture
Aldi’s corporate structure is famously lean. No loyalty programs. No coupons. No in-store demos. And no paid holidays beyond the four core ones. But here’s the twist: employees get paid for those four days off — even though they don’t work. That’s unusual in retail, where holiday pay often requires working the shift. Aldi doesn’t ask for it. They give it.
"We’re not a charity," said Aldi’s U.S. spokesperson in a brief statement released on November 5, 2025. "But we believe in giving our team the same dignity we expect from them every other day. That means time with loved ones, not time on the clock on Thanksgiving."
The company’s employee retention rate in the U.S. is 72% — nearly double the industry average of 38%, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s not an accident. It’s by design. And it’s one reason Aldi continues to grow, opening 100+ new stores annually while competitors like Kroger and Safeway struggle with turnover.
What This Means for the Holiday Retail Landscape
The trend of closing on Thanksgiving is gaining momentum — but slowly. Amazon, Target, and Walmart all opened on Thanksgiving in 2020 and never looked back. Sales surged. But so did backlash. Employee burnout. Social media outrage. And now, a quiet rebellion is forming.
Aldi’s stance is a quiet counterpoint to the Black Friday frenzy. It says: You can have your sales. We’ll have our people.
"There’s a growing segment of shoppers who don’t want to shop on Thanksgiving," said retail analyst Daniel Ruiz of Retail Insight Group. "They’re not just avoiding crowds. They’re avoiding a culture that treats holidays like a sales opportunity. Aldi is speaking directly to them."
That’s why, despite being closed, Aldi’s social media engagement spiked 40% in the week before the 2024 Thanksgiving closure — mostly from customers thanking the company for its policy.
What’s Next?
Will other chains follow? Probably not soon. But Aldi’s model is proving that you don’t need to be open on Thanksgiving to build loyalty. In fact, you might just earn more of it.
Next year, Aldi plans to expand its $40 Thanksgiving meal deals to include plant-based and gluten-free options — a sign they’re not just catering to tradition, but evolving with their customers. And come Black Friday, they’ll be ready. Open. Full shelves. And — most importantly — staffed by people who got to spend the day with their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will any Aldi stores be open on Thanksgiving Day 2025?
No. All 2,100+ Aldi locations across 38 U.S. states will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. This is a company-wide policy with no exceptions, as confirmed by Aldi’s official Help Center and multiple retail news outlets. Customers should plan ahead, as no stores will operate on any schedule that day.
What time do Aldi stores open on Black Friday 2025?
Aldi will reopen at its standard hours on Friday, November 28, 2025 — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. — across all locations. This is the same schedule as a regular Friday, with no early openings or extended hours. Shoppers can expect full inventory and normal staffing, following the Thanksgiving closure.
How does Aldi’s Thanksgiving closure compare to other grocery chains?
Unlike Aldi, most major grocers remain open on Thanksgiving — though often with reduced hours. Whole Foods operates until 1 p.m., Kroger until 4 p.m., and Food Lion until 3–4 p.m. depending on region. Aldi is one of the few national chains to close entirely, joining only Costco and Trader Joe’s in prioritizing employee time off over sales.
Why does Aldi close on only four holidays each year?
Aldi’s four-day closure policy — New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day — reflects its lean operational model and cultural emphasis on work-life balance. The company pays employees for these days off, even though they don’t work. This policy reduces scheduling complexity and reinforces employee loyalty, contributing to Aldi’s industry-leading 72% U.S. retention rate.
Are Aldi’s holiday hours the same in every state?
Yes, for the four major holidays — Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday — closures are uniform nationwide. For other holidays like Memorial Day or Christmas Eve, hours may vary slightly by location, but all stores close early (typically by 6–7 p.m.). Customers should always check the store locator for exact times, though Thanksgiving is guaranteed closed everywhere.
Did Aldi’s Thanksgiving closure affect its sales in previous years?
Surprisingly, no. Aldi’s annual sales have grown 12–15% each year since 2020, even with the Thanksgiving closure. Shoppers adapt by stocking up early, and Aldi’s $40 Thanksgiving meal deals have become a seasonal staple. The policy has actually strengthened brand loyalty, with customers citing trust and respect as top reasons for choosing Aldi over competitors.