More early risers to shop this Friday

HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) - Retailers are stocking up as more shoppers are expected to hit the stores early for Black Friday.  Shoppers are making their lists, planning to get out early, and doing everything but spending lot of money.

So, whether it's not going to sleep after dinner.

“I'm going to recuperate from Thanksgiving first, and then I'm probably going to do some shopping,” said Don Calsyn of Greenfield.

Or maybe it’s getting to the store before dawn.  “I have before, once before, with my mother. We must have gotten there I don't know 3AM,” said Stephen Turcotte of South Hadley.

An American Express survey says shoppers have a game plan this Black Friday.  “More and more people are leaving their Thanksgiving family meals and their family entertainment. And they are going right to the store and getting in line instead of getting ready at five in the morning,” said Best Buy General Manager Christian Faustmann.

A staff of 50 will help Faustman throughout the night.  Most shoppers are expected to make their first purchase between midnight and 3AM.  But Massachusetts Law doesn't allow retailers to open on Thanksgiving. In fact, employees can't even enter the building until after midnight.

“So, that's why you see a 1AM opening time for target and best buy and the mall itself will be open at 12:30AM and a lot of the mall tenants, 12:30AM to one,” said Hampshire Mall ’s General Manager Brian Niland.   

The spending survey says shoppers plan to spend an average of $400, 25% less than last year. More than half will be looking to cash in on credit card reward points or by using coupons from social media sites like Facebook.   

“If I were to be lining up myself I know that I'd be hitting up Best Buy, Target, anything that I can get my electronic savvy hands on,” said Turcotte inside of Best Buy Wednesday afternoon. 

Best Buy has hired additional security for the day. Hampshire Mall also plans to beef up staff.