Black Friday weekend: When to shop for what

“Online sales are forecast to grow between 7% and 10% over a year ago to as much as $117 billion”.

Smartphones, online shopping and “sneak peek” discounting has changed Black Friday from the door-bustin’ shopping brawl of old to a more toned-down event, reshaping how retailers appeal to consumers on the day that still serves as the annual kick-off for the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the giant-retailer, released its Black Friday ads to suffice the desires of the shoppers this coming holidays.

A survey for BHS.com found 21% of shoppers planned to spend more this year than last year, and just 9% meant to spend less. “It’s important to us that our associates are able to be home with their families on Thanksgiving, and we are encouraging our customers to do the same – knowing great deals will be available online, on Black Friday and through the weekend”, Bob Riesbeck, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. And what would be a better family program then going to Walmart to purchase some of the best Black Friday deals?

For those on the hunt for toys, be warned – a growing number of national retailers are stocking their shelves with exclusive toys that can only be bought at their stores. It’s always good to know a store’s price-match and return policies. And, of course, texts, tweets, and social media posts are an easy way to share Black Friday shopping intel with your friends.

Surprisingly, Black Friday did not become a phenomenon overnight.

The CambridgeSide Galleria is offering free photos with Santa this year to help drive traffic to its stores. Many retailers run their Black Friday discounts for several days, and they offer similar promotions all throughout November and December. He expects to finish all of his Christmas shopping in a matter of minutes. That works out to an average spend of $935.58 per person during the holiday shopping season in 2016. They will reopen at 5 a.m. that Friday and will remain open until 10 p.m.

Carter’s: 6 p.m. -10 p.m. So you’ll need to check out the specials being offered in the weeks leading up to Black Friday.

Braintree’s South Shore Plaza will start opening its doors at 11 p.m. today so shoppers can enter in an orderly fashion and start queuing up at stores they want to hit first just after midnight. GameStop is limiting their featured deals to Friday and Saturday only.

Retailers are readying themselves for another record Black Friday despite suggestions of shopper “fatigue” after days of discounting ahead of the main event.

Sears opens 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and closes at 12 a.m.

Black Friday started in the United States in the 1950s and the name is attributed to traffic chaos and crowds flocking to stores in Philadelphia over the Thanksgiving weekend. Open Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The mall is closed Thanksgiving Day, but some stores will be open in the morning including Harmons, Starbucks, the Gym at Farmington Station and Edible Arrangements.

Charming Charlie: 6 p.m. -1 a.m.