black friday

Occupy protesters want shoppers to occupy something besides door-buster sales and crowded mall parking lots on Black Friday. Some don't want people to shop at all. Others just want to divert shoppers from big chains and giant shopping malls to local mom-and-pops. And while the actions don't appear coordinated, they have similar themes: supporting small businesses while criticizing the day's dedication to conspicuous consumption and the shopping frenzy that fuels big corporations.

The holiday shopping season officially kicks off on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Actually, make that during Thanksgiving for some retailers. Here's a rundown of some of the items that will shape this holiday week.

News flash, retailers: There's a reason that mosh pit of rock-bottom deals and rampant consumerism is called Black Friday -- it occurs on Friday. And there's good reason to keep it that way.

If you're in the market for a new television, you'd be wise to scoop up one of the sweet deals that will be available for the rest of 2011. TV manufacturers and retailers are desperate to unload inventory, so HDTVs, Internet-connected TVs and 3-D TVs will be going at deeply discounted prices.

The day after Thanksgiving isn't just the best time to land deals on TVs and blu-ray players: It's also the best savings day of the year for cars. We've got the five that'll have the biggest discounts.

With Walmart's announcement that it will open at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving, the holiday has morphed into Black Friday Eve. But for the anti-consumerism camp, Nordstrom is king: For the sixth year year in a row, it won't even decorate for Christmas, let alone do any holiday marketing, until Thanksgiving is officially over.

Anyone who lined up outside their local Target early one Tuesday morning this past September to score some Missoni -- and witnessed the retail carnage that ensued -- will be well prepared for Black Friday. Target, on the other hand, may not be as ready -- especially when it comes to its website.

Here's some Black Friday shopping advice: Stay home. Ditch the stores, crowds and lines, and shop online, where the deals often eclipse what you'll find in stores, says Brad Wilson, CEO of Bradsdeals.com. So where are the big bargains on shoes, electronics, jewelry, apparel and home goods? Read on ...

For many of the millions of Americans still out of work, shopping on Black Friday has become a luxury they can no longer afford. But some entrepreneurial consumers are refusing to be left with empty bags. They're going shopping for those doorbusters -- but for you, and for a fee.

For the first time, Walmart is offering its Facebook fans an early, exclusive preview of its Black Friday deals, including toys, electronics and apparel. Those who like the store on Facebook are supposed to get the news later today.