The era of 24/7 retail seems to be coming to a quiet end. In the years following the pandemic, many of the nation’s largest chains have permanently reduced their operating hours. They often make this change without a major press release or announcement. This “silent shrinkage” is a strategic business decision. It helps companies combat rising labor costs and a persistent shortage of workers. For consumers, however, it means less flexibility and the end of late-night shopping trips.
1. Walmart
Walmart was the undisputed king of 24-hour shopping for decades. Its Supercenters were a beacon for night-shift workers and late-night shoppers. However, the company suspended its 24/7 schedule during the pandemic and has never brought it back. Most Walmart locations now close at 11 p.m., a major, unannounced shift in the company’s long-standing business model.
2. Major Grocery Chains (Kroger, Albertsons)
Like Walmart, many large grocery chains, including Kroger and Albertsons, once operated a significant number of their stores 24 hours a day. They have also quietly made their pandemic-era reduced hours permanent. A store that once never closed now typically locks its doors at 10 or 11 p.m. This move allows the companies to save a huge amount of money on overnight labor costs.
3. Walgreens and CVS
Finding a 24-hour pharmacy has become much more difficult. Major chains like Walgreens and CVS have been forced to reduce the hours at many of their formerly 24/7 locations. This is primarily due to a nationwide shortage of pharmacists. Without enough staff to safely operate the pharmacy overnight, the companies have had no choice but to shorten the hours for the entire store.
4. Major Banks (Chase, Bank of America)
Bank branches are also closing their doors earlier than they used to. Many national banks like Chase and Bank of America have shortened their lobby hours. They now often close at 4 or 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Many have also eliminated their Saturday hours. This is a deliberate move to push more customers toward using ATMs and online banking services, which are much cheaper for the bank to operate.
5. Fast-Food Chains
While some fast-food locations are still open late, the 24/7 drive-thru is becoming a rarity. Chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell have allowed their individual franchise owners to reduce their hours in response to the labor shortage. Many locations that were once open all night now close their lobbies early. Some shut down completely in the late evening.
6. Department Stores (Macy’s, Kohl’s)
The classic department store has also been trimming its hours. In the past, it was common for a store like Macy’s or Kohl’s to be open until 10 p.m. on a weeknight, especially during the holiday season. Now, these stores often close at 8 or 9 p.m. This reflects a decline in evening foot traffic as more shoppers have moved online.
7. Home Depot and Lowe’s
The big-box home improvement giants have also quietly scaled back their hours. While they still open early for contractors, their closing times are not as late as they once were. These stores, which used to be open until 10 p.m., now frequently close at 9 p.m. in many locations. This is another response to changing shopping patterns and the high cost of staffing a massive store.
The New Retail Schedule
The quiet reduction of shopping hours across the retail industry is a sign of a new, post-pandemic reality. The combination of a tight labor market and a major shift to online shopping has made the old 24/7 model unprofitable for most businesses. For consumers, it means that the era of unlimited, around-the-clock access to our favorite stores is largely a thing of the past. We must now plan our shopping trips more carefully within this new, shorter retail day.
Have you noticed your local stores closing earlier than they used to? How has the change in shopping hours affected your routine? Let us know!
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