With predictions of a weak consumer spending season in the fourth quarter, retailers are preparing to be as aggressive as ever for Black Friday 2013.
They hype over Black Friday is already being played out on social media three weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Macy's and J.C. Penney plan to extend the Black Friday experience with efforts to draw in shoppers after Thanksgiving dinner by opening its doors at 8 p.m. on Nov. 28. Kmart, on the other hand, wants to get shoppers before the turkey is even in the oven, noted Time.com.
"The arms race to start the holiday shopping season earlier and earlier stepped up a notch Tuesday, when Kmart announced it will open its stores at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day,"
Time reported. "Kmart also opened at 6 a.m. last year, but it closed for a few hours in the evening so workers could celebrate Thanksgiving.
Some people were not happy with Kmart's decision to open through Thanksgiving and went to the company's Facebook page to complain.
"I'm never shopping at Kmart again because you (are) depriving your employees time to be with their families on Thanksgiving Day," wrote Easton Yusef Breaux on Facebook Wednesday. "Totally disgusting and inhumane! Close your stores on Thanksgiving Please!"
Samuel Butts posted on Tuesday: "Having worked in retail for over 25 years, I am thoroughly disgusted that you care so unbelievable little for your employees that you are taking away their Thanksgiving."
Kmart responded to the criticism on Facebook, saying its stores will be staffed with "volunteers and seasonal associates wherever possible. This gives associates the opportunity to make some some additional money this holiday season."
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