Retailers get started earlier with seasonal deals
By Laura Flavin For The St. Louis American
The holiday shopping season traditionally starts the day after Thanksgiving, when dedicated shoppers hunt for the best bargains long before the turkey has settled in their bellies.
This year’s Black Friday will be Nov. 27, but with presales, 24-hour stores and early bird sales, savvy shoppers may be able to score Black Friday deals earlier, with less jostling and aggravation.
Kmart leads the pack with its ambitious Better Than Black Friday sale, which began Nov. 6 and will continue with new markdowns on electronics, apparel and tools every Friday through Nov. 20. Customers getting a head start on their holiday shopping can also utilize Kmart’s new online layaway program to spread out payments on select items over an 8-week period.
Walmart’s 24-hour stores will begin special sales at 5 a.m., but look for presale deals and an expanded holiday 2009 selection of $10 toys and board games before Black Friday officially begins to beat the crowds.
Likewise, a nighthawk can take advantage of Black Friday deals on Thursday at midnight at St. Louis Old Navy and Toys“R”Us locations. Storewide deals at Old Navy include 50 percent off outerwear and a free Lego Rock Band game with your $20 purchase.
Customers can also head out to Home Depot for the biggest appliance sale in Home Depot history, with presales starting Wednesday. Also look for Black Friday deals on electronics and appliances at Sears, where you may find a Kenmore Washer/Dryer combo for $579.98 and slashed prices on HDTVs.
Black Friday store hours:
Old Navy: midnight – 9 p.m.
Toys“R”Us: midnight – 11 p.m.
Kohl’s: 4 a.m. – midnight
JC Penney: 4 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sears: 4 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Best Buy: opens 5 a.m.
Gordman’s: 5 a.m. – midnight
Kmart: opens at 5 a.m.
Macy’s: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Target: 5 a.m. – midnight
Walmart: special sales start at 5 a.m. at 24-hour stores
Bass Pro Shops: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Lowe’s: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Home Depot: 6 a.m.
Dillard’s: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Marshalls: opens at 8 a.m.