Holiday shopping marathon starts as consumer sentiment shaky

[xchrom]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/22/us-usa-retail-holiday-thanksgiving-idUSBRE8AL04Q20121122

(Reuters) - Forget that Turkey trot. Thanksgiving is now the start of the annual holiday shopping endurance race, as more stores open on Thursday's national holiday to seek a bigger share of spending that is expected to grow slowly this season.

Target Corp has joined Wal-Mart and Gap Inc in being open at least part of the day, and some retailers will be open throughout the day, a trend that began to take hold in 2011.

Traditionally, retailers enticed shoppers with "doorbuster" deals early Friday morning. Then they shifted to midnight following Thanksgiving.

Now Walmart's U.S. discount stores, which will already be open during the day, will offer some "Black Friday" deals at 8 p.m. and special deals on some electronics at 10 p.m. Target has moved its opening from midnight to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Toys R Us is opening at 8 p.m.

[Sherman A1]

1. Most of my shopping is long completed

with just a few gift cards to purchase for nieces & nephews. There will be a few odds & ends, but not too terribly much this year. Just don't need more stuff around the house.