Retail stores saddle up for Thanksgiving shopping - WALB.com, South Georgia News, Weather, Sports

Thanksgiving is Thursday and while some of us will be eating turkey dinners at home, others will be out hunting for the best shopping deals. 

Several stores such as Target, Gander Mountain, Walmart, and Kmart will be opening their doors hours before Black Friday. Shoppers will be able to take advantage of door-busters and special deals available during this time.

Hundreds of people are expected to hit the aisles and dozens of these stores already have a way to tackle the shopping frenzy.

Target's assistant store manager Andrew Peterson says they started planning their workflow over a month and half  ago. He feels working in retail during the holidays can be intense, but generating a clear cut plan can help give customers what they want and help staff operate smoothly. "We have everything in place, we have lines that we're going to run around the store, caution tape to keep those lines in order. We'll have line monitors walking up and down the lines making sure every guest is satisfied so we have everything in place. We feel real comfortable where we're at.'

It's the same mentality Gander Mountain store manager, George Kokinda has.

"We want to be there for our Gander Mountain customers to provide them with great service and be able to continue with great outdoor traditions during the Thanksgiving holiday," Kokinda said. 

He says he has worked out a schedule with staff in mind, no one will work a full shift.

"So, they'll spend time with their families, plan all the way around everything and still be able to service the great customers that are going to be in here and that are going to need our help during this holiday season."

Kokinda says he expects a large crowd similar to his previous year. 

Gander Mountain opens at 8 A.M. and Target opens at 6 P.M. 

Shoppers can expect other retail chains and local businesses to open up at different times throughout the day. 

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