Saturday, November 9, 2013

Belk to open on Thanksgiving Day

Charlotte-based Belk, Inc., has jumped on the early Black Friday bandwagon, announcing its stores will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for the first time this year.

Belk joins Macy's, J.C. Penney, Kohl's and other retailers who have moved their opening times to Thanksgiving itself this year. The 8 p.m. Thursday opening is Belk's earliest ever for Black Friday (for comparison, in past years Belk opened at 3 a.m. on Black Friday).

Toys 'R' Us, Target, Walmart, Sears and Kmart already started opening on Thanksgiving in the last two years, hoping to lure customers to finish their Black Friday shopping before competitors opened.

"Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around good food, family and friends," said Jon Pollack, Belk executive vice president, in a statement. "Over the years that tradition has evolved into one that includes shopping and other activities that families enjoy together outside of the home. It's in response to that trend that we open our doors to customers at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night for their shopping convenience."

Retailers are scrambling to attract shoppers this year, with the late date Thanksgiving falls on slicing six days off the traditional holiday shopping time. And the still-groggy economy, the government shutdown and anxiety over new healthcare laws certainly aren't helping improve consumers' moods.

The slew of early store openings announced this year likely mean that Black Friday will start on Thursday night for the foreseeable future. What do you think? Will you join the early crowds? Below is a list of Belk's doorbuster early deals.

"The first 250 customers at each store at the 8 p.m. opening on Thanksgiving will receive a free Belk gift card with a value ranging from$5 to $1,000, and with a guaranteed $1,000 gift card winner in each of the company's 301 stores.
  • $19.99 ND New Directions sweaters
  • $39.99 ND New Directions 5-piece luggage set
  • $19.99 Rampage boots
  • $99.99 Keurig Elite single serve brewer (plus $20 Belk gift card by mail-in rebate)
  • $19.99 iLive portable Bluetooth music player
  • $24.99 Sharper Image camera binoculars
  • 40 – 60% off men's and women's casual and athletic shoes
  • 50 – 70% off men's and women's watches
  • 50% off handbags
  • 55 – 75% off Belk and Co. Fine Jewelers jewelry
  • 60% off kids' dresswear and sportswear
  • 55 – 65% off women's favorite brand better sportswear
  • 50 – 65% off women's designer brands
  • 45 – 60% off kids' toys, games and more
  • 35 – 70% off luggage, throws, towels and more
  • 50 – 70% off kitchen electrics, cookware and bakeware"

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