Simon Property Group is the nation's largest shopping mall operator.

Simon Property Group, the company that owns and operates major retail properties all over the country and in Puerto Rico, has decided not to open on Thanksgiving Day this year. 

Simon is the largest shopping mall operator in the country and normally is open on Thanksgiving Day, one of the biggest shopping days of the holiday season.

David Simon, company CEO, said in a press release:

"In these challenging times, we made the decision that we will not open on Thanksgiving Day, instead allowing our associates to spend the holiday with their loved ones."

Mall locations will be open on Black Friday, however.

In 2019, Thanksgiving Day online sales were record-breaking—around $4.2 million—according to CNN Business. 

Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday sales are intended to attract as many shoppers as possible and pack people into stores. Long lines, haggling customers, and lots of chaos have become the normal expectation for those who head out to catch all the great deals on the biggest shopping weekend of the year.

Retailers have had to change their approach this year due to the pandemic, as well as due to financial concerns many shoppers are facing in these unprecedented times.

To see if your local shopping mall is part of Simon Property Group, click here.

Will you be shopping online or in-person for the holidays this year? What do you think about Simon Property Group's decsion to stay closed on Thanksgiving Day this year? Let us know in the comments.