Before presents can go under the tree, they have to be purchased. Image source: Laura Bittner, Flickr.
Black Friday may not be quite what it once was since many stores now celebrate the start of the holiday shopping season on Thanksgiving itself, and others push the opening even earlier, but it's still a massive event.
Nearly six in 10 Americans -- an estimated 137.4 million people -- plan to or are at least considering doing some shopping over Thanksgiving weekend, according to research from the National Retail Federation. Of that period, which runs from the actual holiday on Thursday through the following Sunday, Black Friday remains the most popular day to shop across all age groups.
About 21% of Americans plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day, about the same as last year's 22%. Black Friday, however, will attract 74% of those who plan to shop during the weekend (roughly 45% of all U.S. consumers), again, roughly the same amount as 2015.
As usual, The Motley Fool has been aggressively covering the run-up to the shopping holiday, with our team of analysts breaking down what to buy, when to buy it, where to buy it, and what to avoid. From store hours to breaking down the logic of why chains are doing what they do, we have every aspect of the kickoff to the holiday shopping season covered (and more will be coming as we get closer to Christmas):
When Is the Best Time To Do Your Holiday Shopping?
This Report on the Best and Worst Things to Buy on Black Friday Could Save You Money
Here's What Costco and Sam's Are Doing for Black Friday
Read This Before Using a Store Credit Card for Your 2016 Holiday Shopping
Attention, Biotech Investors: Black Friday Is Already Here
Can Starbucks Finally Beat Keurig This Holiday Season?
Holiday Shopping: 5 Technology Devices You Can Spend Less On
How Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Are Affecting Holiday Spending
Here's What the Average American Spends on Thanksgiving Dinner
Just in Time for Christmas, AeroVironment Unveils Its New Drone
Nobody Wants a Fitbit for Christmas
