The reason? Thanksgiving comes late this year, so that means just 26 holiday shopping days. Last year, there were 32.
It's not Black Friday, but that didn't stop some shoppers from lining up early Friday morning to take advantage of early sales.
"It's crazy," said Kate Lawson. "It's mayhem. It's Black Friday except sooner. It's our sooner sale."
The crowd lined up at 7:30 a.m. at Menagerie in Wayne for a blowout sale. Designer jeans are two for one, and how about a $500 dress for just $50?
"A lot of people don't go to boutiques on Black Friday. They do the big named stores and the big brands, and we understand that. So we thought we would do our sooner sale, our pre-Black Friday so that we could get our sale in too and actually get people to come," said Kate.
Big box stores are taking part in pre-Black Friday promotions as well.
"Great deals," said Frank Pellicori, Walmart. "We're talking black Friday deals right now, so you don't have to wait for black Friday. Come right now and get them."
Walmart started their sale Friday morning also. The main deals are on toys and electronics.
All the specials are marked with special sale tags, including the brand new Xbox 1 games for $49.
"I'm enjoying it; enjoying it. It's never too early to shop," said Jamel McAllister. "Never too early."
At Toys R Us, their two day sale kicked off Friday morning
Some items are 25% off, others are marked down.
Managers say Christmas shopping started well before this week. Layaway got started sooner than normal this year.
"Normally it starts to get really heavy in September and this year it started as early as August," said Christine Hammaker, Toys R Us.
"I like to start early; with 8 grandchildren and other children, there's a lot to get," said Gerry Nalis.
Shoppers say if you want to get the "it" item this year, you better get moving.
"I've already been to a couple stores for a couple of things, and they are saying they are out of them already, and it's not even Black Friday," said Nalis.
The holiday shopping season is about a week shorter than previous years, which could account for the itch to shop now.
