Dive Summary:

• Big Lots is planning to open stores for eager holiday shoppers at 7:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.
• In addition, the largest close-out retailer in North America will open stores at 6:00 a.m. on Black Friday.
• The discount merchant will also extend the seasonal sale event into Saturday at most of its 1,526 Big Lots locations across the U.S.

Dive Insight:

Big Lots is one major U.S. chain that has remained open on Thanksgiving in recent years, so the announcement that it plans to open stores on the Thanksgiving holiday is not unexpected. The discount chain says it has received positive feedback regarding the policy from shoppers. "We are happy to provide (customers) with extended opportunities that will help them make the most of their holiday shopping dollars,” said Andrew Stein with Big Lots.