Black Friday 2013: Shoppers storm to checkouts as record number of stores opened on Thanksgiving Day

Shoppers eager to catch all Black Friday’s best bargains have been able to make an even earlier start to their holiday shopping, as a record number of stores opened on Thanksgiving Day.

Black Friday, the day following the Thanksgiving holiday, is the biggest shopping day of the year in the US.

Retailers offer special deals to tempt shoppers to spend.

Shoppers eager to catch all Black Friday’s best bargains have been able to make an even earlier start to their holiday shopping, as a record number of stores opened on Thanksgiving Day

Some stores, including the flagship Macy’s in New York, opened on Thursday evening – traditionally reserved for celebrating – for the first time ever.

Twelve national chains opened their doors on Thanksgiving Day.

Workers’ groups have protested that the trend towards Thanksgiving opening means retail employees can no longer spend the day with their own families.

Thanksgiving Day is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

Black Friday took over from the last Saturday before Christmas as the biggest shopping day of the year for US consumers in 2001.

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