These grocery stores are open on Christmas

The last thing anyone wants to do on Christmas Day is more shopping. There's a good chance you've done your fair share of retail-ing over the last month.

But there are always a handful of last-minute needs. Maybe it's a gift card or other gift for an unexpected guest. Or a crucial ingredient for your Christmas morning brunch or prime rib dinner.

Before you set out to pick up these must-have items, you need to know which stores are open and closed on Christmas Day.

Most major mall retailers — think Walmart, Macy's, JCPenney, Kohl's, Nordstrom, Dillard's, TJ Maxx, Sephora — are closed on Christmas, giving employees a much-needed day off after a month of extended hours and dealing with the occasional surly customer.

Which grocery stores are closed on Christmas Day

Most grocery stores are closed on Christmas Day. Stores such as Costco, Trader Joe's, and Kroger might even close early on Christmas Eve and won't open again until December 26.

While some individual locations may be open on Christmas Day, here is a list of the biggest grocery stores that typically do not open on Christmas Day:

• Walmart
• Albertson's
• Safeway
• Aldi
• Publix
• Trader Joe's
• Baker’s
• City Market
• Dillons
• Food 4 Less
• Foods Co
• Fred Meyer
• Fry’s
• Gerbes
• Jay C Food Store
• King Soopers
• Kroger
• Mariano’s
• Metro Market
• Pay-Less Super Markets
• Pick’n Save
• QFC
• Ralphs
• Ruler
• Smith’s Food and Drug

Whihc stores are open on Christmas Day

Some retailers are open 365 days a year, though there are not that many. Most of them fall into the pharmacy or convenience store category.

Here are some stores that will be open on Christmas Day:

• 7-Eleven. Most 7-Eleven stores stay open 24/7 and Christmas Day is no exception. But since the stores are franchises, check with your location before you head out to grab that eggnog or last-minute gift card.
• Buc-ees. On its website, Buc-ees says it's open "7 days a week, 365 days a year," so that means the stores are open on Christmas Day. Check the store locator to find the location nearest you.
• Circle K.Circle K stores, like 7-Eleven locations, tend to be 24/7 spots, Christmas included. Still, it's always a good idea to check the company's website before you hop in the car.
• CVS. CVS is open on Christmas Day. The CVS in my neighborhood is open until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closes at 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. The pharmacy is closed on Christmas Day. Check store hours for your store on the company's website.
• Dunkin'. Many Dunkin locations are franchises, which means the individual owners may choose to open or close on Christmas Day. The location closest to me says it is open from 4 a.m until 6 p.m. on Christmas Day.
• QwikTrip. With more than 1,000 stores across the country, there's a good chance there is a QwikTrip near you.
• Save Mart. Save Mart is one of the few mainstream grocery retailers that will be open on Christmas Day. The stores will be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Normal hours will resume on December 26.
• Speedway. Since it's part of the 7-Eleven company, Speedway keeps similar hours. The stores will be open on Christmas Day.

• Walgreens. Walgreens (which operates as Duane Reade in New York) will be open on Christmas Day, according to the company's website. Pharmacy hours may be limited, so if you need to pick up a prescription, make sure to check your local store hours.
• Wawa. Many East Coast Wawa convenience stores are generally open on Christmas Day, but some may have reduced hours. And some may close, so check your nearest location before you head out.

Here's hoping your holidays are merry and bright.

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