After the turkey leftovers are packed away, one out of four Americans will head to the stores hunting for a deal. With bargains an everyday occurrence in the new era of frugality, retailers are getting creative at grabbing consumers’ attention.
Neiman Marcus, for example, is holding its first Black Friday sale, offering a $50 gift card for shoppers who spend $100 or more between 9 a.m. and noon. Even McDonald’s is jumping into the fray with free cups of premium roast coffee on Black Friday, starting at 12 a.m. and running until noon.
To get you started, we’ve highlighted some of the unusual happenings at malls and stores around the Chicago area. Let the shopping begin.
Best Buy
Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Perks: Coffee and doughnuts for early birds waiting in line at select stores. Text a holiday survival tip for a chance to win a smart phone or $100 gift card through Dec. 19.
Crowd control: Stanchions placed to form lines. Tickets passed out for merchandise as early as 3 a.m.
On the Web: Online deals start on Thanksgiving at BestBuy.com. Exclusive online deals offered Friday and Saturday.
Carson Pirie Scott
Hours: 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Doorbuster deals from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Perks: Free shipping on orders of $50 or more on Thanksgiving and of $75 or more on Friday. Some deals, including a Nintendo Wii entertainment bundle and a Bose SoundDock, are online exclusives both days.
Crowd control: Greeters stationed at entrances and escalators. Store maps handed out to customers. Stanchions manage lines at registers.
JCPenney
On the Web: Deals start online at 7 a.m. Thanksgiving at Carsons.com. Some deals are online exclusives.
Hours: 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Doorbuster deals from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Perks: Free Disney snow globe to first customers while supplies last. Sign up online for celebrity wake-up call from Cindy Crawford, country band Rascal
Crowd control: Nothing extra.
On the Web: “Screenbuster” deals online starting Thanksgiving Day at JCP.com.
Kohl’s
Hours: 4 a.m. to midnight. Early-bird offers from
Perks: Flatts or Kimora Lee Simmons. In the store, receive a $10 certificate for every $50 spent.
Crowd control: Stanchions in place to keep lines orderly, limited number of entrances to control traffic.
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On the Web: Create a doorbuster shopping list online at Kohls.com.
Macy’s
Hours: 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Doorbuster deals from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. More deals from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Perks: Shoppers waiting in line get packs of Ocean Spray Craisins at the State Street, River Oaks, Bolingbrook and Woodfi eld stores.
Crowd control: Nothing extra.
On the Web: Black Friday deals, which don’t kick in until Friday, can be seen at Macys.com.
Target
Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Perks: First 500 people in line get free reusable shopping bag.
Crowd control: Extra security officers in the parking lot. Store maps handed out to shoppers. Popular deal merchandise throughout the store.
On the Web: Deals start Thanksgiving Day at Target.com.
Walmart
Hours: Most non-Superstore locations are open 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day to 11 p.m. Friday.
Perks: None. The best price is the perk, the retailer says.
Crowd control: Lines form inside the store in front of specific doorbuster merchandise. Customers are notified when the number of people in line starts to exceed the number of products available.
On the Web: Thanksgiving Day sale with 50 online-only deals at Walmart.com. Select doorbuster deals available online.
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Specials for those who strategize
Shops at North Bridge (Chicago)
TheShopsAtNorthBridge.com
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (including Nordstrom)
Black Friday perks: The first 200 shoppers receive a Chicago skyline photo signed by photographer Cesar Russ. The first 50 customers get a free coffee card for the Nordstrom Espresso Bar.
Prime Outlets (Huntley)
PrimeOutlets.com/locations/huntley.aspx
Hours: 12 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Black Friday perks: At the center’s Midnight Madness Pajama Jam, the first 500 shoppers to show up in pajamas receive a gift bag. The early promotions run through 8 a.m.
Yorktown Center (Lombard)
YorktownCenter.com
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carson Pirie Scott and J.C. Penney open at 4 a.m.
Black Friday perks: Web-savvy shoppers who become a fan of Yorktown on Facebook or follow the mall’s Twitter feed at “yorktowncenter” can participate in hourly giveaways between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Prizes include a free stay at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center and Brookfield Zoo passes. Shoppers who spend $100 between 10 a.m. and noon receive a $10 gift card for participating stores and restaurants. Several restaurants in the mall are offering $7 lunch specials.
Water Tower Place (Chicago), Northbrook Court (Northbrook), Spring Hill Mall (West Dundee)
MerryGiving.com
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Water Tower), 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Northbrook), 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Spring Hill).
Black Friday perks: Shoppers who spend $100 before noon can receive a $10 gift card and a subscription to Martha Stewart Living. Early birds also will receive tote bags with goodies such as a Martha Stewart-brand cooking utensil and recipe cards.
Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie)
Westfield.com
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Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Anthropologie has its grand opening at 7 a.m.
Black Friday perks: The first 500 shoppers at Anthropologie get a receipt organizer from Real Simple magazine and a $10 store gift card. In addition, customers who spend $250 at the center receive two tickets to their choice of events at such local venues as the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Deer Park Town Center (Deer Park)
DeerParkTownCenter.tv
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Some stores open at 4 a.m.
Black Friday perks: Starting at 8 a.m., the first 400 visitors to the management office will receive a $25 gift card, no purchase required. The mall will begin serving free coffee and hot cocoa to shoppers waiting in line at the office at 6:45 a.m.
Gurnee Mills (Gurnee) and Orland Square (Orland Park)
Simon.com
Hours: 12 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Gurnee Mills), 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Orland Square)
Black Friday perks: Shoppers receive warm chocolate-chip cookies.