Store opening hours for Black Friday

According to our holiday poll, one in four Americans plan to hit the stores on Black Friday. Whether you plan to do all of your shopping at brick and mortar stores (44 percent of those surveyed said just that), or if you'll be comparing in-store and online prices, the following list of opening hours for some of the big-name retailers can help you strategically launch your holiday shopping.

Keep in mind, however, that Black Friday prices are not always lowest for some of the products we've recommended. In a price comparison by Decide.com, the lowest prices of the season on electronics items were not on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Thanksgiving Day:
Kmart 6 a.m.
Old Navy 9 a.m. Thanksgiving and midnight Friday
Toys R Us 9 p.m.
Walmart 10 p.m.

Midnight Friday
Ace Hardware
Best Buy
Kohl's
Target (which is opening despite an employee's campaign to cancel this year's earlier hours)

Friday:
JCPenney 4 a.m.
Macy's 4 a.m.
Sears 4 a.m.
A.C. Moore 5 a.m.
Sports Authority 5 a.m.
Half Price Books 7 a.m.

Black Friday shopping tips:
Black Friday: Big appliance buys at the big box stores
Best GPS deals for 2011 Black Friday--Your guide to navigating doorbusters
Best new car deals for Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend
Black Friday 2011: 10 best TV deals
Black Friday: There are good buys and there are CR Best Buys

And for more holiday shopping strategies check out Black Friday 2011: 12 tips for getting the best deals, plus 7 tips for organized and hassle-free holiday shopping.

—Maggie Shader