Deals starting well before Black Friday

(WPRI) -- Thanksgiving came early this year, and retailers love it -- even though, instead of using Black Friday to launch the holiday shopping season, lots of stores were already touting their bargains to bargain hunters weeks ago.

At Toys "R" Us, shoppers were grabbing doorbuster deals a full week before Black Friday (and Thankshopping Thursday, as some are calling the Thanksgiving day where many stores chose to open). The toy giant says consumers want bargains earlier than ever.

"We've definitely seen consumers -- even in September -- looking for some of those really hot deals and discounts," said Adrienne O'Hara of Toys "R" Us.

Best Buy only offered its best customers online discounts. Sears had a similar strategy -- online customers got doorbuster offers online last weekend, before the big sale started in stores Thanksgiving night.

As you can see, the conventional wisdom is changing: Black Friday is no longer the critical shopping "day."

Shopping experts say laptops are generally getting cheaper closer to Christmas. Luxury items could be a better deal right now, at the end of November.

Marketing is starting earlier. Victoria's Secret had supermodels publicizing holiday gifts days before Black Friday.

Granted, for some shoppers it's all much too soon: "Now it seems like as soon as Halloween's over, everything's up and running for the holidays," said Katie Lamotte Gravante.

60% of Americans plan to do their shopping over Thanksgiving weekend, according to a survey by Deloitte.