For some retailers Black Friday starts now

ThinkstockThe Friday after Thanksgiving, aka Black Friday, is known as the biggest shopping day of the year. With our economy and major retailers still suffering, experts say customers will be shopping in droves for bigger sales and better deals than ever. But if you're not the type to stand in freezing lines outside of Wal-Mart at 5 a.m. retailers may have another solution this year: start the sales now.

Why wait till next month for Black Friday, says Sears, when you can have it this weekend? Amazon is marking down popular electronics like hi-definition TVs and Blu-Ray players on Friday, and on Sunday all items featured in the Toys "R" Us Christmas toy book will be on sale.

"Consumers have been trained to buy merchandise only 'on sale,'" Sherif Mityas, a partner in the retail practice at the consulting firm A. T. Kearney, told the New York Times. "Given a limited budget, if retailers don't capture that first or second purchase, they may find themselves with a lot of inventory the week before Christmas and the need for massive discounting to save the holiday."

This Sears ad (via New York Times) promotes an early Black Friday sale going on this Friday and Saturday. With this in mind, analysts say more stores will offer early discounts, promotions, and that the sales will be greater and last longer than in previous shopping seasons. Target is planning a four-day sale starting the Sunday before Thanksgiving with over 170 gift items up to 50 percent off. JCPenney has four extra sale dates on their calendar as well: the "Biggest Sale of Them All,"on November 6, a one-day sale on November 17, a "Huge Sale" on November 20, and a "Day Before Thanksgiving" sale on November 24. Wal-Mart's website will offer discounted prices starting next week with up to 30% off 200 items a week. The week leading up to Thanksgiving, Staples will offer over 50% off electronic devices like laptops, cameras and printers. There will also be increased Cyber Monday online sales (the Monday after Black Friday), so check CyberMonday.com for info.

But shoppers take heed: not all retailers throwing around the term "Black Friday" are offering up great deals. Mike Riddle, founder of Black-Friday.net told the Times that costumers should do their research and not be fooled by alleged sale that may be offering up standard prices. Our advice? Hunt around on websites for competitive prices and mark your calendars for sale dates. There's no need to get trampled for a deal when you can hit the stores early or shop online. [NY Times]