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Macy's To Open On Thanksgiving Day

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The word is out: Macy's flagship store and most of its 800 around the country will open Thanksgiving Day at 8 p.m.

Opening its doors on the holiday breaks a 155-year tradition of being closed that day. But Macy's says it's a "response to interest from customers who prefer to start their shopping early."

One Macy's employee said he couldn't be happier about the decision. He said everyone can still enjoy a good turkey dinner with their family, and head to the stores afterwards.

But shopper Lona Olver won't be among those going out to shop right after Thanksgiving dinner.

"I will not go shopping on Thanksgiving, because it's always been tradition in our family that you get up early on Black Friday, and you go to whatever store you want. You know, map out your route that day," she said.

Christopher Borgman also said he prefers to spend the entire holiday with his family. He feels sorry for workers who will have to go to work that night.

"If I got called in to work at 8 p.m., I would not be happy about that at all," he said.

Susana Tapia says: "I really do think it comes down to money, and competition."

Banana Republic, Sears, Kmart, Walmart and the GAP already open on Thanksgiving.

"I think we're going to see the trend continue. The only way the trend will reverse is if somebody says, 'You know what? We kind of lost money on Thanskgiving. It wasn't worth being open,'" says Paul Swinand, a retail analyst for Morningstar.

Once Macy's opens its doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day the store will remain open for the next 26 hours -- the following Friday at 10 p.m.

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