Once a hallmark of convenience, 24-hour retail is slowly disappearing. The ability to shop at any hour gave consumers flexibility and freedom, but many major chains are rethinking the need to stay open around the clock. Whether it’s due to shifting shopping patterns, labor shortages, or higher operating costs, the late-night lights are going out.
This change doesn’t just affect night owls—it reshapes how and when you shop. For some, it means adjusting routines. For others, it’s the end of a reliable late-night option. Here are 11 big retailers that are phasing out 24-hour service, and what it says about the future of retail.
Stop & Shop
This regional grocery chain, prominent in the Northeast, experienced a shift away from its widespread 24-hour operations. While some flagship stores might retain longer hours, many Stop & Shop locations now operate with more traditional opening and closing times. This adaptation reflects the changing consumer habit of preferring daytime shopping or online grocery delivery, reducing the need for constant access to food products.
Walmart
Once a pioneer of the 24-hour supercenter concept, Walmart began scaling back its overnight hours in many locations, particularly following the pandemic. While some stores still maintain extended hours, the widespread 24/7 operation is essentially a thing of the past. This change reflects a strategic move to optimize staffing and reduce overhead during historically low-traffic periods, which will impact the traditional late-night grocery run for many.
Kroger
Many Kroger grocery stores, which previously operated 24 hours a day, have adjusted their schedules significantly. Since the pandemic began, most locations have closed overnight, typically from midnight to early morning. This decision was made to allow time for deep cleaning, restocking, and to give associates more time for rest, illustrating a shift towards employee wellness and operational efficiency.
Meijer
For decades, Meijer was synonymous with 24-hour shopping, famously closing only on Christmas Day. However, the beloved Midwest superstore chain quietly moved away from its 24/7 format following the pandemic. While not an official announcement, updated store signs no longer feature “24 Hours,” indicating a permanent shift to earlier closing times and a focus on core shopping hours.
CVS Pharmacy
While some CVS locations, particularly those in high-traffic urban areas, might still operate 24 hours, the chain has significantly reduced its overall 24-hour footprint. This strategic decision is part of a broader effort to optimize staffing and resources, particularly in light of the increased demand for prescription services during daytime hours. It reflects changing patterns in health and pharmacy access.
Walgreens
Similar to CVS, Walgreens has also scaled back its 24-hour operations in many of its pharmacy locations. The shift aligns with an industry-wide trend to manage rising labor costs and focus resources on areas with the highest customer traffic. This means late-night trips for medicine or last-minute toiletries are becoming less common at these major drugstore chains.
Target
Target stores rarely, if ever, operated 24 hours a day, unlike some grocery or big-box stores. However, their standard late-night hours were significantly curtailed during and after the pandemic, with many stores now closing by 10 PM or 11 PM. This adjustment emphasizes efficiency and aligns with a lifestyle where online shopping increasingly caters to off-peak needs.
Giant Eagle
Many Giant Eagle supermarkets, particularly those located outside major metropolitan hubs, have transitioned away from 24-hour operations. While some urban locations or those with attached GetGo convenience stores may still offer extended hours, the general trend for this regional chain is towards more standardized closing times, often by 10 PM or 11 PM, which impacts night-shift workers.
Hy-Vee
This employee-owned Midwestern grocery chain, known for its extensive service departments, also adjusted its hours during the pandemic and has largely maintained shorter operating times. Many Hy-Vee stores that were once 24-hour destinations have closed overnight, citing reasons such as increased cleaning protocols and staffing challenges. This change reflects a broader consideration for health and productivity among employees.
Rite Aid
Facing significant financial challenges and store closures, Rite Aid has also reduced its 24-hour presence. As the company works through its restructuring, optimizing operational costs, including staffing for overnight shifts, has become a priority. This means fewer options for late-night prescription pick-ups or emergency purchases at their stores.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025—No Experience Needed
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025
I used to think investing was something you did after you were already rich. Like, you needed $10,000 in a suit pocket and a guy named Chad at some fancy firm who knew how to “diversify your portfolio.” Meanwhile, I was just trying to figure out how to stretch $43 to payday.
But a lot has changed. And fast. In 2025, building wealth doesn’t require a finance degree—or even a lot of money. The tools are simpler. The entry points are lower. And believe it or not, total beginners are stacking wins just by starting small and staying consistent.
Click here and let’s break down how.
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
We all click on them with the hope that just THIS time the secret to changing a bad habit or adopting a healthy one will be revealed and we’ll finally be able to stick to that diet, stop that one or ten things that might in the moment make us feel temporarily good but really just make us fat, unhealthy, sad, mad or just frustrated with ourselves.
