Walmart Plans Its Earliest Black Friday Ever

For traditionalists, it may be an unwelcome encroachment on a holiday normally focused on family, but for shopping enthusiasts it's all in good fun. 

Walmart has announced that it will begin running "Black Friday" sales at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, the earliest time yet as the shopping holiday increasingly becomes "Black Thursday."

Although the retail giant did hold sales on Thanksgiving Day last year, it started later in the evening. The 8 p.m. push will be one of three sales "events" for Walmart with others occurring at 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. the next day. 

According to the St. Louis Business Journal, earns more than a quarter of its annual sales from the holiday season. The National Retail Federation is also expected a surge in spending from consumers, predicting that it will rise 4.1 percent compared to last year. 

Shoppers have a choice of two Walmart locations in the Fenton-High Ridge area, including the supercenter at 653 Gravois Bluffs Blvd. in Fenton, and the High Ridge Commons Walmart supercenter at 2700 Ridge Point Dr., High Ridge.

What do you think? Are Black Friday specials getting out of hand and starting to replace the Thanksgiving holiday itself? Or do you enjoy the experience of the shopping rush and the potential deals it provides?