Target Closes All Stores on Christmas, Giving Employees a Rare Holiday Off
Target has closed all its stores nationwide on December 25, giving employees a full day off for Christmas. The decision aligns with a wider trend of major retailers like Macy's shutting their doors on key holidays. Shoppers needing last-minute essentials must now turn to alternative options like Target's competitors.
Target locations operated with reduced hours on Christmas Eve before closing completely for Christmas Day. Staff were sent home early to prepare for the shutdown, ensuring they could spend the holiday with family. The retailer’s policy has drawn support from labour rights groups, who argue it sets a positive example during a hectic shopping season.
Most large supermarkets and discounters, including Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, and Edeka, also shut early on Christmas Eve—usually by 13:00 or 14:00. Only convenience stores at train stations and airports, such as Edeka at Munich Hauptbahnhof or Tegut at Frankfurt Airport, stayed open later for urgent needs. Fuel stations and motorway service shops remained accessible into the evening, offering food, drinks, and basic supplies.
For medical needs, emergency pharmacies (Notdienst-Apotheken) operated 24/7, though after 14:00 they were limited to essential medicines and baby-care items. Shoppers were advised to check store apps or websites for exact hours, as opening times varied by location. Target will reopen on December 26 with extended hours, catering to Boxing Day bargain hunters and returns.
The closure leaves last-minute shoppers with fewer options, pushing them toward convenience chains or late-opening pharmacies. Target’s decision ensures staff get a full holiday break, while customers must plan ahead for essential purchases. Stores will resume normal operations on December 26, with longer hours for post-Christmas sales.
