By Sarah Nassauer and Chris Wack

Walmart Inc. said it will close stores on Thanksgiving Day this year, in another indication of how retailers are shifting business practices in response to a global pandemic that shows few signs of easing.

Thanksgiving typically kicks off the holiday shopping season in the U.S., with shoppers crowding aisles to grab limited-time discounts on Christmas-themed pajamas, televisions and toys.

"We know holiday shopping will be different this year, and we will be managing sales events differently," John Furner, Walmart's U.S. chief executive, said an email to staff. The idea to close stores on Thanksgiving came from a midlevel manager in a Texas store, Mr. Furner said. "We know it's been a trying year," he told staff.

Walmart said its Sam's Club locations also will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Some retailers have limited sales events in stores to reduce crowding amid the pandemic. Home Depot Inc. canceled its in-store spring sales event, which falls during the home-improvement retailer's largest sales season as shoppers stock up on gardening and home-improvement supplies for the spring. Amazon.com Inc. pushed back its Prime Day sales event.

Walmart also said Tuesday it will pay out another special cash bonus to store, club, distribution center and fulfillment center associates as a reward for serving customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The retailer said the bonuses will be $300 for full-time hourly associates, and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary associates. Drivers, managers and assistant managers in stores, clubs, and Health & Wellness also will receive a bonus. It will add up to $428 million for the company.

Walmart said U.S. associates, excluding salaried office associates, employed by the company as of July 31 will qualify for the bonuses, which will be paid on Aug. 20. This is the third special bonus Walmart has given to associates in 2020, totaling $1.1 billion in bonuses so far this year, in addition to the regular incentive it provides to frontline associates on a quarterly basis.

The company said its stores and Sam's Club locations will operate normal hours Wednesday, Nov. 25. Information for store and club hours Friday, Nov. 27, will be shared at a later date.

Write to Sarah Nassauer at sarah.nassauer@wsj.com