Memorial Day marks a significant shift in the US retail landscape as businesses increasingly stay open during this federal holiday. Historically, it was celebrated every May 30, but since 1971, it has been observed on the last Monday in May.
This year, government buildings, post offices, courts, and schools will be closed, while banks and financial markets will also remain shut. However, most retailers, including warehouse membership club Costco, will be open with promotional sales. Retailer hours may vary by location.
Memorial Day is considered the unofficial start of the summer travel season, with Americans expected to embark on record numbers of trips over the long weekend. According to AAA, more than 45 million people are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, with most traveling by car. The organization also expects a significant decrease in gas prices this year.
AAA forecasts that 39.4 million people will travel by car and 3.61 million by air over the weekend, marking increases compared to previous years. However, concerns about air safety have led some travelers to reconsider flying, following a midair collision in January that killed 67 people and recent close calls due to flight delays and cancellations.
Despite these concerns, many Americans are still planning to take advantage of Memorial Day as a big retail sales and travel weekend.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/memorial-day-2025-stores-open-closed-217c9b4b29bcfd58f0f825ba549a4d1d