(U.S.) – Walmart announced on Tuesday that it plans to keep all its stores closed this year on Thanksgiving Day.

The closures will affect both Walmart and Sam’s Club stores and will mark a major change in the retailer’s tradition of kicking off Black Friday in-store doorbuster sales on the Thanksgiving holiday.

““We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up,” explained John Furner, the president and CEO of Walmart US.  “We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones,” said Furner. “We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts.”

In the past, Walmart opened its stores during regular hours on Thanksgiving. Parts of the store would be blocked off for timed releases on specific deals into Thanksgiving evening and through Black Friday.

This year Thanksgiving falls on November 26.