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Monday, November 7, 2011

Macy’s to give Black Friday shoppers a headstart by opening on midnight after Thanksgiving

 	About 7,000 shoppers turned up for Macy’s annual Black Friday opening at 4 a.m. at its Herald Square store last year.

About 7,000 shoppers turned up for Macy’s annual Black Friday opening at 4 a.m. last year at its Herald Square store.

Holiday season bargain-hunters shouldn’t plan on taking a post-turkey nap this year.

Macy’s became the latest big retailer to announce it was opening its doors to Black Friday shoppers at its earliest time ever: midnight after Thanksgiving Day.

The move follows Target’s announcement last week that it would kick-off one of one of the busiest shopping days of the year at 12 a.m.

Retailers and businesses across the country are vying for an edge in a holiday season that is only expected to see a modest sales gain of 2.8% over last year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The earlier-than-usual start to Black Friday means shoppers will likely begin lining up outside stores as soon as the Thanksgiving leftovers are put away.

The term Black Friday traditionally refers to the day of the year when businesses turn a profit, or move “into the black.”

But the day after Thanksgiving has in recent years become the official kick-off to the holiday shopping season, with retailers nationwide typically offering huge one-day discounts and opening doors to frenzied shoppers in the wee hours of the morning.

In the past, chains such as Best Buy have allowed Black Friday shoppers in as early as 4 or 5 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving.

Last year, several national retailers got a headstart by opening on Thanksgiving, including Sears, Kmart, Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us.

According to the NRF, nearly 10% of holiday shoppers now begin their Black Friday shopping at midnight. 

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