Black Friday creeps into Thanksgiving in US

NEW YORK (AP) - The start of the American holiday shopping season, known as Black Friday, typically begins with stores opening in the wee hours of the morning on the day after the Thanksgiving harvest holiday.

But Black Friday, named for the period when stores traditionally turn a profit for the year, has crept earlier and earlier into Thanksgiving over the past few years, and some critics say a holiday that is supposed to bring families together is losing out to mass consumerism.

Stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are now opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their turkey and pumpkin pie.

Wal-Mart Stores will have early bird shopping specials at 8pm (9am Friday Singapore time), two hours earlier than a year ago. Target Corp is opening its doors at 9pm on the holiday, three hours earlier than last year.