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Holiday shopping season has started

Posted at 7:41 AM, Nov 27, 2014
and last updated 2015-11-22 05:33:52-05

In the retail world, the last Thursday of the month is not just Thanksgiving.

It is also known as Grey Thursday, another big day for discounts ahead of Black Friday.

Spending Thanksgiving shopping has become a more popular sentiment each year.

"A lot of people want to be home with their families getting Thanksgiving ready -- but me, I'm here," said Rickia Torres, who arrived early Thursday morning to shop.

Kmart has opened its doors at six in the morning on Turkey Day for more than 20 years.

However, overtime things have changed.

"Last year the line went all the way back to the store, this year, there's just two of us," noted Joseph Marrero during the overnight hours. Marrero arrived at two in the morning at the Kmart on Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo.

Long overnight lines were gone this year, with only a few shoppers lining up until just before the doors opened. 70 shoppers entered the store at six in the morning.

Managers chalk up the lower turnout than previous years to more online sales and an increase in foot traffic after Thanksgiving dinner because of nearby malls opening at night.

"I mean everyone online orders, everybody releasing ads early, it's changed the retail world," noted Rick Hinkle, a manager at Kmart, who also pointed at the success of sales over the internet.

However, if you go in person, the biggest items still go fast on Thanksgiving morning.

Electronics are always a hit. Televisions, tablets and anything "Frozen" related all went flying off the shelf. The Kmart on Hertel Avenue even sold out of Elsa dolls.

Some early in line enjoy getting their shopping done first thing.

"Other stores you have to go five to six at night, that's when I want to spent time with my family," said Marrero.

However, others have embraced Grey Thursday, like Patty Ford, who exclaimed "I'm going to shop until I drop this holiday!"