Video: Retail Stores Opening Earlier this Year on Thanksgiving

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s the biggest shopping day of the year. Black Friday is just nine days away. Many stores plan to open early this Thanksgiving, to get ahead of the competition. Despite the controversy of taking time away from family for customers and employees, stores will open earlier, hoping to boost holiday sales.

This Thanksgiving, many retailers say it’s never too early to get your holiday shopping done.

“We’re opening at 5 o’clock instead of 8 o’clock and kind of going along with our competition and opening earlier. We’re going to have some great coupons for the customers who come out early. When you get your tummy full of turkey you can shop with us,” says Victoria Aurigemma, J C Penney Store Leader in Columbus.

J C Penney in Columbus is one of many stores opening their doors earlier this year on Thanksgiving. When the retailer opens at 5pm, the doors will stay open throughout the night. Belk, Big Lots, Best Buy and the Mall at Barnes Crossing in Tupelo, will also open on Thanksgiving. When we asked shoppers what they thought of stores opening earlier this year, the reaction was mixed.

“I’m going to be spending that day at home with my family. So it’ll be a busy day and I won’t have a chance to be out on this day,” says shopper Linda Newman.

“I’m glad they opening up early. That way we go ahead and get our shopping done and get back home. Well I hate they have to come in early but we got to do what we got to do,” says shopper Nellie Taylor.

Aurigemma says employees know what to expect on the biggest shopping day of the year and they’re ready for the crowds.

“Everybody who comes in at five will have some different shifts through the day so we don’t get exhausted and we’ll be able to keep giving our customers the service they expect when they come into our store,” says Aurigemma.

Some stores won’t follow the trend of opening early. Barnes and Noble, Home Depot, T J Maxx and Fred’s will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

A recent study shows store traffic increased 27 percent last year on Thanksgiving.