Ames Patch's Guide to Black Friday

Black Friday, the shopping holiday that often brings corporate stores into the black for the year, starts even earlier this year. One sale started at 6 a.m. in Ames today.

Shoppers of all stores should find even better deals than before, according to one report.

The National Retail Federation expects as many as 152 million people will go shopping this holiday weekend. They've offered some general tips to help people prepare.

Ames Patch has some more local information on the sales available here.

The first sale starts at 6 a.m. today at Kmart, and the will participate. Many other stores will open midnight Thursday, more on that can be found below.

North Grand Mall opens officially at 7 a.m. Friday. Its website said that the first 200 people lined up at the center court will receive a free shopping tote and more. Many of the stores inside the mall will be open much earlier.

and 10 other stores like will open at midnight Thursday, as will to accommodate the throng of hungry shoppers. Check below for all other hours.

Downtown shops comprising the Mainstreet Cultural District don't have any Black Friday sales planned, but most will be open during regular business hours on Friday.

People looking to scope out the best details will find many retailer advertisements on BFAds.net, a website devoted to Black Friday advertising circulars.

Kmart: Open at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving. Preview the Thanksgiving specials. Then open at 5 a.m. Friday. Preview the Black Friday deals.

Walmart: Black Friday starts at 10 p.m on Thanksgiving in both Ames Walmart locations. Preview the deals.

Target: Opens at midnight Thursday. Preview the deals.

Best Buy: Opens at midnight Thursday. Preview the deals.

Younkers: Opens at midnight Thursday. Preview the deals.

JC Penney: Opens 4 a.m. Friday. Preview the deals.

Other stores opening at Midnight Thursday in Ames include: , , , Express, , , , The Buckle and .

Other stores opening at 4 a.m. in Ames include: , , , and

Stores opening at 6 a.m. in Ames include: , and .

If you want to shop in Des Moines, check out some more Black Friday sales information .