Black Friday sales have kicked off earlier and earlier in recent years. The holiday creep has reached the early-morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, which might rightly be called Gray Thursday (although laws in a few states do not let stores open on Thanksgiving). Alternatively, consumers can succumb to tryptophan and enjoy nearly a full night's sleep before launching a shopping spree in the wee hours on Black Friday. Customers arrive well before the stores open to ensure they get the best Black Friday deals before supplies run out. For some retailers and some items, this means getting in line hours before the doors open or a sales event begins. Shoppers can map out their strategies with this roundup of when many major chains open (hours may vary at some locations).
OPENING THANKSGIVING DAY (Nov. 26)
Big Lots
7 a.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving Day; 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
CVS
Thanksgiving Day hours vary by location.
Dollar General
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Family Dollar
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Gander Mountain
8 a.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving Day; 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday.
RadioShack
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Walgreens
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. on Black Friday.
JC Penney
3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Hhgregg
4 p.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving Day; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday.
Michaels
4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (coupon for 30 percent off entire purchase); 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday (coupon for 30 percent off entire purchase 7 a.m. to noon; 40 percent off one regular-price item noon to 10 p.m.).
Best Buy
5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. on Black Friday.
Toys R Us
5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Kohl's
6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (door busters until 1 p.m. Friday).
Macy's
6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to 1 p.m. on Black Friday.
Modell's Sporting Goods
6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day; 6 a.m. on Black Friday (door busters until 2 p.m.).
Office Depot/OfficeMax
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. on Black Friday.
Sears
6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day; 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
Sports Authority
6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day; 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Target
6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Walmart
6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Kmart
7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (door busters until 2 p.m. on Black Friday).
OPENING BLACK FRIDAY (Nov. 27)
A.C. Moore
5 a.m. on Black Friday.
Bass Pro Shops
5 a.m. on Black Friday (special offers until 11 a.m.).
Fred Meyer
5 a.m. on Black Friday ("Big Deals" until 1 p.m.).
Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts
6 a.m. on Black Friday (coupon for 25 percent off total purchase, including sale items but excluding door busters, until noon; 50 percent off one regular-price item).
Sam's Club
7 a.m. on Black Friday (members only).
Staples
6 a.m. on Black Friday.
BJ's Wholesale Club
7 a.m. on Black Friday (members only).
PetSmart
7 a.m. on Black Friday.
Costco
9 a.m. on Black Friday (members only).
ONLINE SHOPPING
Black Friday sales start even earlier online, where some stores offer early preview sales. Target, for example, had a one-day sale on Nov. 9 filled with Black Friday deals, and select deals start on Wednesday, Nov. 25 (the day before Thanksgiving) for many holiday gifts. Best Buy opens its doors at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, but the deals are available all day online. Amazon, the king of online retail, is hosting a Black Friday Deals Week (and has been "counting down" with deals all month long).