Black Friday Creep has Sales Starting Earlier this Year

Reports of stores planning to open earlier on Thanksgiving are starting to roll in as retailers try to position themselves to get a bigger share of shoppers' holiday money. Business analysts have dubbed the new trend, Black Friday Creep.

Stakes are high for retailers still smarting from Hurricane Sandy losses. The National Retail Federation predicts holiday spending will increase only $9 from last year to $749.51 and about 20 percent of spending is expected to happen over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Walmart is leading Black Friday Creep after its recent announcement that it will kick-off Black Friday sales at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving - that doesn't leave a lot of time to enjoy the effects of your tryptophan.

Sears is expected to open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open until 10 p.m. Friday. In 2012 the stores opened at 4 a.m. on Friday.

Staples will also open an hour earlier at 5 a.m. on Friday. Target and J.C. Penney have not disclosed any Black Friday details yet. Macy's and Kohls will be opening at midnight again. 

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal Best Buy will open at midnight, as it did last year, and pass out reservation tickets but it has also given the earliest peek yet at their bargains. 

WSJ reports "deals include Blu-ray player for about half price and a 40-inch LCD television for $180, a 57% discount, both from Toshiba Corp. It will have online-only deals starting Thanksgiving Day."

Keep an eye open for innovate techniques retailers will be using this year to try up their sales. Industry analysts report retailers will reward mobile users and facebook friends with special deals and there will likely be an app for the retailer you want to visit - if there isn't already. Stores like Walmart are also planning to make interactive store maps available for pre-shopping planning.

An article in the Huffington Post recommends keeping your receipt - "with a growing number of stores like Target offering price matching with certain online rivals like Amazon.com, you may find a better deal later and will have an easier time returning the more expensive item."