By Dominic Serrao/Examiner

CENTRAL JERSEY – Beleaguered retailers are hoping an early start to Black Friday will provide a much-needed boost to sagging sales amidst a weary economy. Outlets, malls and stores are opening as early as 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in hopes of attracting bargain hunters eager to get their hands on discounted flat-screen TVs, toys, outerwear, and books. Gap Inc. will open 700 Old Navy stores and 300 Gap and Banana Republic stores from noon to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to kick off a three-day sale.

According to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation by BIGresearch, up to 134 million people are expected to shop this Friday, Saturday or Sunday, higher than the 128 million people who had planned to do so last year. U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $683 on holiday-related shopping, a 3.2 percent drop from last year’s $705.

Lena La Monaco of Washington Township has taken a day off from work in order to shop early on Black Friday. She’s looking for “early bird package deals and promotions such as buy one get one free.” She added, “I plan to buy gifts for friends, family and also for myself!”

The Liberty Village, Jersey Shore, and Jackson Outlets kickoff their annual Midnight Madness when their stores open at midnight. Some stores at these locations open as early as 10 p.m. on Thursday.

The Bridgewater Commons mall will open at 6 a.m. offering early bird promotions, including a $10 gift card and one-year subscription to Martha Stewart Living magazine for shoppers spending $100 or more. Customers will also receive free 'Holiday Mistle-Totes' with retailer goodies, including a booklet of 'Ideas and Inspirations from Martha Stewart Living,' a Martha Stewart Living-branded cooking utensil, and recipe cards at the mall’s MerryGiving Gift Zone, which will be decorated with three giant red gift bags.

The size of the Black Friday ad flyers from mega-retailers like Walmart and Target are attracting as much attention as the deals being offered. Electronics and toys dominate the 32-page Walmart flyer. Walmart and Target stores open at 5 a.m.

Independent retailers like Annie Rossi of The Addicted Jeans Store, located at 43 Main Street in Clinton, are also pinning their hopes on Black Friday. She said, “We're expecting great things for the Black Friday weekend!”

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