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Gary Tomlin, who manages the Target store in greater Bluffton, said the store is ready for a rush similar to last year's Black Friday, when about 1,000 people lined up outside the store for its 6 a.m. opening.
"We're planning for a day very comparable to last year," Tomlin said.
A few things will be different, however.
This year, the store will open at 5 a.m. Friday and will have greater discounts on apparel than in years past. Tomlin expects sales of electronics, toys, appliances and housewares also will be brisk.
This year's must-have item is a furry, interactive critter, he said.
"The hottest thing is a Zhu Zhu Pet, and don't ask me to spell that," he said.
LaDonna Shamlou, general manager of the Tanger Outlet Centers in greater Bluffton, said she was encouraged by the number of people scoping out her centers' 85-plus shops Wednesday.
"The stores definitely have some very aggressive offers," she said.
Even if the recession dims the holiday shopping season for traditional retailers, outlet centers such as hers can do well no matter the economic conditions, Shamlou said.
For people in her business, the kickoff to the season seems to get more demanding every year, she said.
"Pretty soon we'll be opening at 9 o'clock on Thanksgiving Day," she said.
Nan Sutton, owner of Lulu Burgess in Beaufort, urged shoppers not to forget about independent retailers.
Sutton's store on Bay Street contains 1,000 square feet of eclectic inventory from gifts to home accessories to jewelry.
The store is one of several local businesses listed as supporters of the 3/50 Project, which encourages you to spend $50 per month at three independently owned businesses you would miss if they disappeared.
"To me, when you're in a little town and you're trying to make ends meet, you'd love to see people come check us out," Sutton said.
Here's what you need to know to go shopping during and after the Thanksgiving holiday:
MAJOR RETAILERS, SHOPPING CENTERS
Mall at Shelter Cove
Address: 24 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Belk 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saks Fifth Avenue 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Belk 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saks Fifth Avenue 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Sunday: noon to 6 p.m. (Belk and Saks Fifth Avenue 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Details: Santa Claus will arrive at 10 a.m. Friday.
Online: www.mallatsheltercove.com
Phone: 843-686-3090
Tanger Outlet Centers
Address: 1270 and 1414 Fording Island Road, greater Bluffton
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Midnight to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: At the centers' fourth annual Midnight Madness, the first 250 shoppers 18 or older who register at Tanger Shopper Services will get a free P.J. Moose plush holiday gift. On Saturday morning, the first 250 shoppers who register will get a free pack of Harry and David's Moose Munch snack.
Online: Each outlet will offer a variety of deals at different times. Listings and printable special offers and promotions are at www.tangeroutlet.com
Phone: 1-800-4-TANGER
Best Buy
Address: 1007 Fording Island Road in greater Bluffton, 332 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: Both stores will offer special "door-buster" deals on limited quantities of select items from 5 to 9 a.m. Friday.
Online: stores.bestbuy.com/664 (Bluffton) and stores.bestbuy.com/1110 (Beaufort).
Phone: 843-815-5590 (Bluffton) and 843-522-3262 (Beaufort)
Walmart
Address: 350 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort, 4400 U.S. 278 in Hardeeville, 25 Pembroke Drive on Hilton Head Island
The Beaufort and Hardeeville stores are open 24 hours. The Hilton Head store's hours are:
Thursday: 7 a.m. to midnight.
Friday: 12:01 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Online: www.walmart.com
Phone: 843-522-8221 (Beaufort), 843-208-3000 (Hardeeville), 843-681-3011 (Hilton Head)
Target
Address: 1050 Fording Island Road, greater Bluffton
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Details: Store officials plan to give reusable shopping bags to their first 500 guests. They also plan to offer $10 gift cards to customers who make purchases of 100 or more from 5 a.m. to noon.
Online: www.target.com
Phone: 843-815-3321
Kmart
Address: 2127 Boundary St., Beaufort
Thursday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Online: www.kmart.com
Phone: 843-524-1087
FEELING INDEPENDENT MINDED?
Shoppers who would rather avoid the big-box stores and national chains might consider the 3/50 Project. Founded by retail consultant and professional speaker Cinda Baxter, the project encourages you to spend $50 per month at three independently owned businesses you would miss if they disappeared.
According to the project's Web site, $68 of every $100 spent in such stores returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. That compares to $43 of every $100 spent at national chains.
Several local businesses are listed as supporters of the project.
Details: www.the350project.net
