TAMPA More and more retailers are trying to get a jump on the holiday shopping season in hopes of turning a profit this year.
Kmart, Walmart, Big Lots and Fashion Bug are among Bay area stores open today.
"Retailers are going to try to have as many hours as they possibly can over the holiday season to get people in the door," said Richard Suttmeier, financial analyst for ValuEngine, a Land O'Lakes based consulting firm.
Kmart on North Dale Mabry Highway opened at 7 a.m. to give holiday shoppers a head start on their gift lists.
Nicole Gadson-Bostick of Tampa said scoping the sales Thanksgiving morning is an annual event.
"Really, the cooking is done ahead of time. I'm just hanging out waiting, so I might as well get ahead on the deals," she said.
Edee Strickland of Tampa filled her shopping cart with $8 MP3 players for a school toy drive.
"This is nice," she said. "It's not crowded today."
Kmart store manager Jon McDonald said hot items include $179 televisions, two-for-one board games and Snuggies, the blankets with sleeves, for half-price.
Opening on Thanksgiving is a tradition for the discount retailer, one that McDonald said more competitors are copying.
"I think they're listening to the customers," he said. "I think the customers want to be able to shop when off work ... and want to get an early start on it."
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement
Advertisement