Have a black belt in Black Friday shopping? Big-box retailers are opening for bargain hunters earlier this year—starting on Thanksgiving Day.

Walmart stores will open their doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Target stores will open an hour later, at 9 p.m. Sam's Club stores will wait until 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 23 to greet customers, according to TheBlackFriday.com.

Some stores at Northtown Mall will open as early as 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, with all retail shops there open by 7 a.m. A few stores such as Herberger's that have their own outside doors may open at midnight, according to spokesperson Linda Sell.

Want to avoid holiday shopping mega-crowds? Look for Cyber Monday deals on Nov. 26 or visit local independent retailers on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24.