Shoppers Take Advantage of Early Holiday Sales
By: Melinda Barrett
Updated: November 21, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Shoppers aren't wasting any time and heading out for holiday deals before Thanksgiving Day.
"I've already started it so I have a few things done," said Melissa Thorburn, St. Joseph.
Thorburn already has the holiday spirit, and with two teenagers at home, she's on a mission.
"Jeans, shoes, things for the car, video games, all top their list," said Thorburn.
"We have some amazing great deals, our theme this year is 'Merry Christmas America,'" said JCPenney Store Leader, Jason Schimke.
Preparations are underway at JCPenney for holiday shoppers.
And to make things a little easier, they will offer mobile check outs throughout the store.
"We will have about six to eight iPhone's where we can check you out anywhere in the store, we'll have them at certain spots in the store," said Schimke.
JCPenney will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday and their deals will continue until 11 p.m.
"We have hundreds of deals for Black Friday," said Schimke.
"I usually go with a lot of my friends, you know a few of us will go. When it gets to the nitty gritty, I'm usually taking my daughter with me," said Thorburn.
JCPenney is just one of many retailers gearing up for crowds on black Friday.
But other large retailers like Toys 'R' Us, Target, Kmart, Walmart and Sears are kicking things off Thanksgiving night.
"Retailers are trying to anticipate and meet the expectations of their customers. And so three years ago we saw a number of retailers test drive Thursday openings," said Matthew Shay, CEO, National Retail Federation.
According to the National Retail Federation, in 2009, 3-percent of Thanksgiving weekend shoppers hit the stores on Thursday.
In 2010, 9-percent, and in 2011, 24-percent.
Now, Black Friday might soon be overshadowed by Black Thursday.
"I've already started it so I have a few things done," said Melissa Thorburn, St. Joseph.
Thorburn already has the holiday spirit, and with two teenagers at home, she's on a mission.
"Jeans, shoes, things for the car, video games, all top their list," said Thorburn.
"We have some amazing great deals, our theme this year is 'Merry Christmas America,'" said JCPenney Store Leader, Jason Schimke.
Preparations are underway at JCPenney for holiday shoppers.
And to make things a little easier, they will offer mobile check outs throughout the store.
"We will have about six to eight iPhone's where we can check you out anywhere in the store, we'll have them at certain spots in the store," said Schimke.
JCPenney will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday and their deals will continue until 11 p.m.
"We have hundreds of deals for Black Friday," said Schimke.
"I usually go with a lot of my friends, you know a few of us will go. When it gets to the nitty gritty, I'm usually taking my daughter with me," said Thorburn.
JCPenney is just one of many retailers gearing up for crowds on black Friday.
But other large retailers like Toys 'R' Us, Target, Kmart, Walmart and Sears are kicking things off Thanksgiving night.
"Retailers are trying to anticipate and meet the expectations of their customers. And so three years ago we saw a number of retailers test drive Thursday openings," said Matthew Shay, CEO, National Retail Federation.
According to the National Retail Federation, in 2009, 3-percent of Thanksgiving weekend shoppers hit the stores on Thursday.
In 2010, 9-percent, and in 2011, 24-percent.
Now, Black Friday might soon be overshadowed by Black Thursday.
