Shoppers crowd a Macy's in New York for the store's Black Friday sale on November 23, 2012. Some stores opened even earlier, cutting into the Thanksgiving celebrations and indicating that even this cherished American family holiday is falling prey to the forces of commerce.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers crowd a Macy's in New York for the store's Black Friday sale on November 23, 2012. Some stores opened even earlier, cutting into the Thanksgiving celebrations and indicating that even this cherished American family holiday is falling prey to the forces of commerce.
CNN
Women carry Macy's bags down 34th Street after shopping the Black Friday sales.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Women carry Macy's bags down 34th Street after shopping the Black Friday sales.
Andrew Kelly/Getty Images)
A shopper looks through movies and games at a Best Buy store in Naples, Florida.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
A shopper looks through movies and games at a Best Buy store in Naples, Florida.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Shoppers take advantage of Black Friday sales at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers take advantage of Black Friday sales at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
Shoppers pick out televisions at Walmart during Black Friday sales in Quincy, Massachusetts.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers pick out televisions at Walmart during Black Friday sales in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
Shoppers carry bags during Black Friday sales at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers carry bags during Black Friday sales at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A shopper scores a Samsung sound bar at a Best Buy store in Naples, Florida.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
A shopper scores a Samsung sound bar at a Best Buy store in Naples, Florida.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Best Buy employees have a group huddle before they open the store in Naples, Florida.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Best Buy employees have a group huddle before they open the store in Naples, Florida.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Shoppers wait for a Kmart to open on Thanksgiving night, November 22, 2012, in Griffith, Indiana. Like many chains, the store got a head start on the traditional Black Friday sales by opening on Thursday.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers wait for a Kmart to open on Thanksgiving night, November 22, 2012, in Griffith, Indiana. Like many chains, the store got a head start on the traditional Black Friday sales by opening on Thursday.
CNN
Shoppers came out early at Sears for the 4 a.m. doorbuster deals in Highland, Indiana.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers came out early at Sears for the 4 a.m. doorbuster deals in Highland, Indiana.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Shoppers move through a Best Buy store in Naples.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers move through a Best Buy store in Naples.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
People peer inside the Toys R Us store before the Thanksgiving sale in New York's Times Square.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
People peer inside the Toys R Us store before the Thanksgiving sale in New York's Times Square.
Andrew Kelly/Getty Images
Shoppers enter Toys R Us in Times Square on Thanksgiving Day.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers enter Toys R Us in Times Square on Thanksgiving Day.
CNN
Shoppers leave the Toys R Us holiday sale with bags of goodies.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers leave the Toys R Us holiday sale with bags of goodies.
Andrew Kelly/Getty Images
Crowds gather outside Macy's department store on Thanksgiving Day in New York in advance of the midnight opening.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Crowds gather outside Macy's department store on Thanksgiving Day in New York in advance of the midnight opening.
CNN
Early shoppers look for bargains at a Walmart Superstore in Rosemead, California.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Early shoppers look for bargains at a Walmart Superstore in Rosemead, California.
CNN
The first floor of Macy's in New York is crowded when the store opens at midnight.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
The first floor of Macy's in New York is crowded when the store opens at midnight.
CNN
Shoppers rush into Macy's in New York at midnight.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Shoppers rush into Macy's in New York at midnight.
CNN
Black Friday shoppers line up outside a Best Buy store in Montebello, California.
2012 Black Friday frenzy —
Black Friday shoppers line up outside a Best Buy store in Montebello, California.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images