With Thanksgiving just one day away, shopping centers are bracing for the chaotic rush of holiday shoppers.
Several department stores announced Thanksgiving hours this year, including Macy’s, Wal-Mart, Kmart, JC Penny, and Toys”R”Us.
The store manager of a Chicago Kmart on Addison, Jim Weglarz, said the store plans to have three door busters for the holiday. The store is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. Thursday and will stay open through the end of Black Friday.
Weglarz said they are expecting huge crowds for the holiday.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association says 33 million people are expected to shop on Thanksgiving and 97 million shoppers are expected to turn out for Black Friday.
Online sales are also expected to increase by 17 percent.
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“Thanksgiving is the fastest growing shopping day,” said Peter Gill, a spokesman for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
But some markets aren’t taking part in the early bird shopping frenzy on Thanksgiving.
Flyers were posted in Nordstrom stores announcing the closure with big lettering that read, “HAPPY THANKSGIVING.”
“We won't be decking our halls until Friday, November 29. Why? We just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time," the sign read.
The retailer doesn't appear to be concerned about losing business on Thanksgiving, with some shoppers planning to get a head start.
"I would prefer not to cook on Thanksgiving and get in the stores and get the bargains," Tanesha Spencer told NBC 5.
Some people don't like the idea that a retail store would remain open, forcing its employees to work on a holiday.
"This is how we’ve approached the holidays as long as anyone here can remember,” Nordstrom spokesman Colin Johnson said. "We've received positive feedback in the past.”
Doors are set to re-open in time for Black Friday on Nov. 29 and in full holiday spirit.
