Article: Walnut Creek, Calif.-Area Stores Try Opening Thanksgiving to Lure Consumers.

By Janet Adamy, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Nov. 28--Get ready for crowds.

The holiday shopping season kicks off Friday with stretched store hours, deep discounts and swarms of shoppers at Bay Area stores.

This may be the year to start early. To lure cautious consumers, retailers will once again offer deals early in the season, experts say.

"It is going to be a shoppers paradise again," said Kurt Barnard, president of Barnard's Retail Trend Report.

But unlike last year, they prepared for a weak buying season and shrunk their inventories. That could make popular products harder ...

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