Target, Macy’s to Open at Midnight on Black Friday

Black Friday shopping (AP Photo)

Target or Macy’s? Which midnight opening will more Long Islanders flock too this Black Friday?

The two retail giants announced that they will open their doors at 12 a.m. on Black Friday for the first time ever, as the post-Thanksgiving competition for the best deals continues to heat up.

The news of early openings will only add to the hysteria for shoppers who map out stores to visit during the wee hours of Black Friday.

With many families still strapped for cash, Black Friday has drawn a cult-like following for those combing fliers and the Internet for the best prices at the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

“The holidays brings hectic schedules and tight budgets, so extending store hours and offering lots of additional ways to save makes Target a great choice for affordable, one-stop holiday shopping,” Tina Schiel, executive vice president of Target stores, said in a statement.

Macy’s cited customers’ “eagerness to shop early for great deals,” for the company’s decision to open just hours after families finish off the last slice of pumpkin pie.

In recent years, retailers have extended Black Friday hours and unveiled their hot deals weeks before the event with the hope of luring more customers. Macy’s is continuing that trend this year, releasing a sneak-peek of some of their Black Friday specials nearly a month before the big day, including a limited-edition fragrance gift set from Justin Bieber featuring his holiday CD and an exclusive bonus track.

Target said that stores will be open for 23 hours, from midnight to 11 p.m. on Black Friday, and 7 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, depending on locations.

Christina Priest, store manager at Target in Commack, anticipates customers lining up outside the store on Veterans Highway around 8 p.m. She said crowd control will start at 10 p.m. and added that all Target stores are assisted by local law enforcement in dealing with anxious deal-hungry customers.

And to help exhausted customers stay awake after their Thanksgiving feasts, Target stores equipped with a Starbucks will offer coffee for the customers that flood the store at midnight.

“I also think our guests are eating dinner earlier,” Priest said of the midnight opening. “So they might be taking a nap at the middle of the day, and they’re rejuvenated and energized to go shopping at night now instead of having to wait till those wee hours of the morning.”