Wednesday, December 17, 2025
37.0°F

Target offers early access to Black Friday deals

ANNE D'INNOCENZIO/AP retail writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 1 month AGO
by ANNE D'INNOCENZIO/AP retail writer
| November 11, 2014 8:00 PM

MINNEAPOLIS - Target is planning to offer Black Friday deals before the Thanksgiving holiday, in its latest move to boost sluggish sales heading into the holiday shopping season.

The retailer launched a one-day online sale Monday that will last until midnight Eastern time with deals that can be picked up at stores only. Target also is giving early access to some of the deals reserved for the holiday kickoff by holding a pre-sale on a handful of Black Friday discounts at stores and online on Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving. And on Thanksgiving morning, online customers will have access to discounts before the 6 p.m. store openings.

The moves come after Target said last month that it was eliminating shipping fees for online orders under $50 until Dec. 20. Target said it saw a 30 percent increase in online sales in the first 48 hours of free shipping compared with the prior two weeks.

Last year's holiday season started out fine for Target, but a data theft disclosed the week before Christmas caused shoppers to flee for months. While shoppers have moved beyond the breach, business has remained sluggish.

ARTICLES BY ANNE D'INNOCENZIO/AP RETAIL WRITER

The price of reinvention
August 19, 2015 9 p.m.

The price of reinvention

No pain, no gain for stores chasing fickle shoppers

NEW YORK - Retailers' reinvention plans come with a price tag.

June 4, 2015 9 p.m.

Wal-Mart workers can add denim pants to work wardrobe

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart is hoping denim pants will raise the spirits of its more than 1.2 million U.S. store workers.

'On the right track'
February 27, 2015 8 p.m.

'On the right track'

Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon talks workers, customers, critics

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - When Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon took the top job at the world's largest retailer last year, he inherited some big problems.