It looks like Black Friday this year, stores aren’t waiting until the notoriously frenzied nation-wide shopping day to cut prices on toys, electronics, and other items. In addition, several of the most popular consumer retail chains and outlets will be eager to start the holiday sales rush just a little earlier than ever, according to industry experts. Which kinds of businesses do this will depend upon a few key variables, and on the goods that are offered.

For most, Black Friday has typically meant getting up at the crack of dawn and waiting in lines that sometimes took hours to get through, only to be faced with a virtual battlefield inside the store.

This year, things may be a bit different. There are more online deals being bandied about, and the increase in information flow has made today’s consumers far more aware of the buying power they possess right from their desktop. In terms of saving on headaches and struggles amidst the holiday shopping fervor, this could be the most important information for retailers and wholesalers yet.

Experts are already predicting a great surge in retailer specials, especially with popular categories like toys and clothing. Prices are expected to shift somewhat early in these areas, but the biggest of savings events might not be until Thanksgiving Day, with online shopping expected to be a major factor when determining a store’s annual sales goals at the end of the year.

It’s a welcome change for beleaguered shoppers, and some of them are already expressing their point of view. Candy Hong, a homemaker from California, said that “Sales are important to my family, but I really don’t want to be caught in another wave of people in the parking lot and the store this year.” Mrs. Hong added “It’s just not worth it. Whoever makes my life easier will make the sale this year.”

Retailers would do well to make note of what shoppers like Mrs. Hong have to say, with a large percentage of consumers who were polled in recent surveys responding with similar feelings.

The stores are responding with their own numbers, as chains like Target having a sale on toys (up to 50% off) until November 24, and weekly online-only deals. Additionally, starting November 21, Target will have a four-day sale on more than 170 items, including electronics and toys. The retail giant will also have an online-only sale on Thanksgiving Day.

Others are in the same state of mind, with JC Penney marking down women’s and kids’ clothing up to 70% online – and also in their stores – last week. Other items will be discounted up to 50% to 60% throughout various points early in the season. Walmart also does their part to kick off the holiday shopping season a bit earlier, with a sale on HDTV’s, laptop computers, and video games. Discounted electronics will be in stores and online as well.

In pite of all the great deals during the early days of the holiday season, there will still be a few seemingly unyielding constants. According to Kenzo Nakazawa of RedLine Electronics in Arizona, “Electronics will most likely be immune from that early-bird strategy, as they have been for so many years before.” Mr. Nakzawa recommends shoppers stay vigilant during the weekend of Black Friday for truly deep discounts. He adds “Among the biggest online dealers that will be Amazon.com already is offering some good daily deals as part of its countdown to the Black Friday promotion. There may be some great deals on electronics, but don’t expect to get out of having to fight for the best price during the sales rush.”