NEW YORK (AP) — Macy’s Inc. says it will open most of itsstores for the first time on
Thanksgiving, breaking a long-standingtradition for the venerable retailer.In a release issued lateMonday,
the Cincinnati-based chain said it will open its doors at 8 p.m.on that day and will remain open for 24
hours straight until the closeof business on Friday, which is usually about 10 p.m.Last year, thechain
opened its doors at midnight right after the holiday. Thedepartment store chain cited increasing demand from
shoppers for theearlier opening.The move comes as Macy’s faces growing pressurefrom rival stores and online
merchants who are pushing deals on theholiday. Over the years, stores have been expanding their hours on
theday after Thanksgiving to get ahead of the competition, but the kickoffis increasingly happening right
after shoppers finish their turkeyfeast.Last year, Target Corp. opened its doors at 9 p.m. onThanksgiving,
three hours earlier than the previous year. Wal-MartStores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, began the
early bird specialsat 8 p.m., two hours earlier than in 2011. Many stores staggered thedeals over a two-day
period last year to offer more convenience tobargain-hungry shoppers who either want to head to stores after
theirThanksgiving feast and shop through the night or want to go to bed with afull belly and wake up early
to head out to the stores.A growing number of mall-based clothing stores like Gap have opened their doors on
Thanksgiving Day.Target, Wal-Mart and Gap have not yet announced their plans for the Thanksgiving
weekend.Macy’s,which operates about 800 stores, says it began planning early to allowits employees the time
to review available shifts through the holidayseason, including during Thanksgiving weekend and to volunteer
for theshifts they prefer. About 750 of those locations will be open at 8pm.Amongthe deals that Macy’s will
be pushing as early as Thanksgiving night:$9.99 coffee makers and $49.99 five-piece luggage sets._____Follow
Anne D’Innocenzio at www.twitter.com/adinnocenzioCopyright 2013
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