NORTH CAROLINA -- Whoever said the holidays were relaxing never worked in retail. Workers have spent the past few weeks stocking and prepping for their busiest time of the year. But the Black Friday we once knew has changed.

  • Many stores aren't waiting until Friday to start holiday deals.
  • Online shopping does remain comparatively low.
  • Officials recommend shoppers download a price comparison app to see how items at one store compare with another.

“I actually look at it as black November,” said Queens University Professor Steven Cox.

Many stores aren't waiting until Friday to start holiday deals.

“All of our Black Friday deals have started today online,” said Kohl’s Manager Margie Lopez.

Kohl’s is not only starting early online, it's opening its doors early this year at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

It's been an interesting year for retail. Cox said sales are expected to be up around 4.5 percent. But he said there’s a shift in where people are shopping.

Places like like JC Penny and Sears have struggled, and Toys “R” Us is just a memory.

Walmart is well aware of the Toys “R” Us closure. It's why one Charlotte location we visited has 30 percent more toys than last year.

Kohl’s is also trying to diversify its product. It wants to be known as not just a place for clothes, but also items that people would use as gifts.

Cox worries if stores try and be the go-to place for everything, they risk alienating shoppers and leaving what their store is known for. But he said no one retailer has the answer in an age of online shoppers.

“It's an evolving phase,” Cox said.

Online shopping does remain comparatively low. Cox said only 12 percent of retail shopping is online.

“The major retailers still have 88 percent of the business. Their job is to keep that part of the business,” Cox said.

Meaning while the lines on Black Friday may not be as long this year, the lines for Black November are sticking around.

Cox recommends shoppers download a price comparison app to see how items at one store compare with another.