Hi, I'm Dan Premack and welcome to Axios Recap, presented by Facebook.

Today is Wednesday, November 25th. Small Thanksgiving gatherings are in, big Thanksgiving

gatherings are out, and we're focused on America's largest retailer and grocer.

Walmart is a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

For many Americans, it's where they get their groceries, including all the fix-ins for

tomorrow.

For others, it's where they not only get their essentials, but also lots of their holiday

presents, including those infamous Black Friday door busters.

Amazon may get a lot more media buzz, but in the end,

there is no retailer or grocer in America that does more business than does Walmart.

And that gives John Ferner, its head of U.S. operations, one of the best views into how U.S.

consumer habits have changed during the pandemic, including for this

week's all-important shopping trips. It also means Furner's got to begin planning for what we're

going to do once the virus is in the rear view. So we want to talk to him about why Walmart

is keeping close this Thanksgiving day, Black Friday, and what changes are here to stay.

That conversation in 15 seconds.

We're joined now by John Ferner, President and CEO of Walmart U.S. Walmart stores, the physical stores, traditionally have opened for Black Friday sales, kind of just hours after people finish eating their turkey.

This year, your stores are going to be dark until the actual Friday.

Why?

There are a few reasons, Dan, that went into this decision.

But let's just start with the customer.

Customers are always looking for great items, great deals for holiday. And as you said, a lot of customers spend time on Thanksgiving going through where they're going to go. And it's kind of a hectic evening and people are all around. And this year, because of the pandemic and all that our teams have done for us. And I want to talk about our associate teams, they have

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