Today is a day for jack-o'-lanterns and candy corn, but some retailers would rather you think about Christmas trees and candy canes instead.
Sears will launch the holiday shopping season today by offering deep discounts normally reserved for the day after Thanksgiving. The department store chain is calling its promotion "Black Friday Now."
Other retailers have also announced they are starting holiday deals. Walmart has 100 toys for $10 and is selling soon-to-be released books for $8.99. Kohl's will have holiday bargains and leave stores open until midnight Nov. 6 and 7. Borders has greeting cards at a 50 percent discount. Stores that aren't advertising sales are already selling Christmas decorations and other holiday items.
They are trying to attract shoppers like Tenesha Dorsey, 32, a mother of three. She said she's watching her budget this year because of the economy. While shopping Friday in her hometown of Owings Mills, she said the earlier sales will help her save money.
"Based on the economy, we don't have as much to spend, so I say the sooner the better," Dorsey said about the early sales.
She said she would even consider shopping at stores she normally doesn't patronize if savings are good enough.
The move to have deals early is designed to lure budget-conscious customers for what is looking to be a dire holiday season for retailers. The National Retail Federation has predicted a 1 percent sales decrease, the second-weakest holiday season since the federation began tracking sales more than 40 years ago. Last year was the only other time the retail trade group has reported a decline in spending, with sales dropping 3.4 percent in November and December.
"We've all seen the forecasts, and it's not going to be one of our better holiday seasons, that's for sure," said David Herskovits, a partner in the retail division of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an auditing and consultancy firm. "Retailers are anxious to do everything they can do to get consumers into their stores."
Sears executives said this year will be the earliest it has ever offered steep holiday discounts.
"This is the lowest price these products will be at the entire season," said Tom Aiello, a Sears spokesman. "It truly is a doorbuster deal you see people line up for on the day after Thanksgiving."
