You Can Score Target’s Black Friday Deals Early

Target doesn’t want you to wait until Black Friday to shop holiday deals at its stores. The retailer is unveiling a number of firsts in an effort to entice holiday shoppers.

The Minneapolis-based retailer announced it will be opening its doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving, two hours earlier than last year. Target.com offered early access to Black Friday deals Nov. 10, and Target will have a presale Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving, a company press release said.

“Whether shopping online, on their phone or in our stores, Target’s guests will find Black Friday deals on top gifts throughout November,” Kathee Tesija, Target’s chief merchandising officer, said in a statement.

According to The Associated Press, Target is hoping for a big holiday season this year, after 2013’s December data breach caused shoppers to shun the retailer for several months.

While shoppers have moved beyond the breach, Target’s sales have remained sluggish. It is trying to win over customers with aggressive discounts while adding more exclusive trendy merchandise to grab its share of holiday dollars.

For the first time, Target is offering free holiday shipping through Dec. 20. Tesija told the AP that the retailer experienced a 30 percent hike in online sales (compared with the previous two weeks) in the first two days of the free shipping offer.

In another first, Target is offering a limited-time 10 percent discount (up to $300) on Target gift cards. The discounted gift cards can be purchased Nov. 28 from 6 a.m. to noon.

Although Target’s announcement that it’s opening at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving is sure to excite many Target-loving holiday shoppers, I hate that Thanksgiving is being taken over by Black Friday holiday shopping sales.

The Christmas creep is sadly forcing many retail workers to give up their Thanksgiving holiday so shoppers can hit stores early in an effort to save a buck.

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