Submitted by Fox First at Ten on November 21st
By The Associated Press
Retailers from Wal-Mart to Macy's are doing everything they can to make it easier for more finicky shoppers to spend money during the holidays, from expanding store hours over the holiday weekend to offering more shipping options. Here's a closer look at the incentives some retailers have begun offering this year:
Wal-Mart Stores - The world's largest retailer offers customers the option to buy purchases online and pay or pick up the item in-store. It is starting Black Friday sales at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, compared with 10 p.m. last year. Its mobile app lets customers view an interactive map of their local store and the location of Black Friday specials. Wal-Mart Stores also lowered layaway fees from $15 to $5.
Target - The discounter is opening at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, earlier than its midnight opening last year. Additional sales will begin at 4 a.m. on Friday morning.
Macy's- The department-store operator will open at midnight on the day after Thanksgiving, the same as last year. Its mobile app lets customers see specific deals at their local store and what department they're located in.
Toys R US - The toy store company is opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for the first time. It offers the option to buy purchases online and pick up or pay for them in-store. It also waived layaway fees this year and introduced a "hot toy" reservation system. It has also offered to match some prices of online retailers.
Best Buy - The electronics chain is opening at midnight the day after Thanksgiving like last year. It offers the option of buying items online and picking them up in-store. It also matches some prices of online retailers.
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