NEW YORK (AP) — Target will open its doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, the same time as last year.
But shoppers don’t have to trek to a store after eating turkey and stuffing; the same deals will be available online at Target.com on Thanksgiving morning, the Minneapolis-based retailer said Monday. Target said it will also offer different deals for 10 days, starting on Nov. 22.
Target Corp.’s plan is the latest sign of retailers spreading their deals beyond Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. Target and rival Wal-Mart Stores Inc. began opening on Thanksgiving three years ago to better compete with online retailers and other competitors. The holiday shopping is critical to retailers, accounting to about 20 percent of annual retail sales.
Target is sweetening the deal for those that do shop on Black Friday: Shoppers who spend at least $75 will receive a 20 percent discount they can use between Dec. 4 and Dec. 13. After opening on Thanksgiving, Target will stay open throughout the night and remain open into Black Friday.
Companies that have already announced plans to open on Thanksgiving include toy seller Toys R Us and department store chains Macy Inc. and Sears Holdings Corp. Some companies, like Plano’s At Home, are not opening on Thanksgiving this year, instead encouraging employees to spend the day with friends and family.