(Image Source: Cincy Savers)

BY CHRISTINE SLUSSER

Black Friday may be a thing of the past. Businesses have started marking down... and consumers have started stocking up. LA’s KABC reports on some tactics businesses are employing to get those presents under the tree early.

REPORTER: “Best Buy started it’s Black Friday sale today, Target will start the Sunday before Thanksgiving and Walmart will offer free shipping on 60,000 items.”
NOAM PARANSKY: “Everyone is retail is now sitting up and taking notice and trying to figure out what they’re offering is going to be compared to Walmart’s- and whether or not they can even compete with this offering."

MSNBC reports businesses aren’t relying on Santa to fill their stockings this year. Gap is counting on people to buy presents now, Wal-Mart has deeper discounts than last year and Toys R Us has even opened hundreds of temporary stores.

REPORTER: “...but how are they gonna make money in the end?”
YLAN MUI: “Yeah, well the thing that we’re seeing that’s different this year than we saw maybe two years ago is that these discounts are planned. Sears and Kmart started having sales and discounts before even Halloween even came around.”

...and it’s a phenomenon happening all over the nation - not just in busy cities. Jacksonville’s WJXT reports those who hate the crowds no longer have to battle them.

“Not only have stores extended their hours, some are also opening for the holiday. This year for the first time, Sears and Old Navy will open on Thanksgiving Day so shoppers can beat the Black Friday crowds all together.”

Maybe businesses are on to something. Albany, Georgia’s NBC affiliate WALB interviewed everyday moms doing their holiday shopping early.

REPORTER: “These two Moms are beating the crowd and enjoying the savings.”
MOM: “A lot of people in my profession, we have to work Black Fridays, we wouldn't get to come out and do the early bird shopping. We have to do it around our schedules.” (flash)
REPORTER: “The early shopper is a smart shopper.”

Have you started Christmas shopping yet? Noticed more sales?