Salinans gobbled down Thanksgiving turkey, then headed out to gobble up Thanksgiving shopping savings. Some waited in line for hours to save big on things like televisions, video game systems, and even hover boards.
Thanksgiving Day, rather than the day afterward, has become the start of the holiday shopping season in a shift that delights some and disgusts others.
Many of the nation’s mall operators and the big retailers like J.C. Penney that anchor them would like to see it established as a new Thanksgiving tradition. The competition to grab customers first is keen.
But many workers complain that stores are putting profits over workers’ time to be with their families. And some shoppers vow never to visit stores on the holiday.
Locally in Salina, large lines formed in front of stores including Target, Kohls, and others. Large crowds were already inside some stores, including Walmart, to gobble up the savings as soon as the sales began.
The day after Thanksgiving, called Black Friday, had for a long time been considered the official start to the holiday buying season. But in the past few years, retailers have pushed opening times into Thanksgiving night.
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The Associated Press contributed to this story
Salina Shoe Carnival Manager Howard Womochil has fun with shoppers as he announces temporary deals Thanksgiving night.
Shoppers wait for the Salina Target store to open Thanksgiving night.
