Also last year, Express offered 40 percent off before noon and 30 percent off the rest of the day.

ABC News Video Live Shows 2020 Elections Coronavirus LOG IN Interest Successfully Added Well notify you here with news about Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest Off On Best Black Friday Deals Are For Early-Risers Who Do Their Homework With stores opening earlier than ever, retail competition will be cut-throat.

By SUSANNA KIM and LYNEKA LITTLE November 21, 2011, 11:48 AM 8 min read 2:08 Americans Get Ready for Holiday Shopping Consumers get ready to find the best deals at the mall and on the Internet.

Consumers get ready to find the best deals at the mall and on the Internet.

Nov. 21, 2011 -- If you really want to save this Black Friday, do your research.

Toys R Us will open at 9 p.m.

Thanksgiving night for the first time, the retailer announced last week.

Macys, Kohls, Target, Best Buy, Gap and Banana Republic will open at midnight.

This Black Friday, shoppers who are tech-savvy will have the biggest advantage with coupons and smartphone promotions, according to Jennifer Black, CEO of the independent research firm, Jennifer Black and Associates.

Whats the best reward for purchasing an Apple MacbookPro online Sites like Ebates.com and NerdWallet offer tools for online shoppers to see the best reward for them, whether its airline miles, hotel points or cash.

Ebates.com gives online shoppers cash back for making purchases from over 1,500 retail websites.

Shoppers can compare offers and earn a percentage of their purchase in a cash reward.

Robert Smahl, Ebates.com chief marketing officer, said, Even the biggest names are competing for customers.

When any of the sites 13 million users make a purchase at say, Apple or Macys, through Ebates.com, the retailer pays Ebates.com a commission.

That commission is split with the customer in the form of a mailed check.

Smahl said new users should receive their first check within the first month of a purchase.

On Black Friday and Cyber Monday, JC Penney, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Barnes Noble and 500 more stores will offer double cash-back on Ebates.com.

Nerdwallet.com has an online discount tool that allows you to compare the best rewards for online shopping.

NerdWallet, which focuses on comparing credit card offers and rewards, created the tool to spit out a simple list of deals from credit card malls, such as ShopDiscover and American Express Bonus Points Mall.

Almost every major credit card has its own mall that offers cash back or rewards for using your card for purchases.

Ebates.com is one of 16 malls that NerdWallet analyzes.

NerdWallet also compares purchase rewards through airline mileage programs, such as American Airlines AAdvantage program, which allows you to earn extra miles for making purchases through AAdvantage eShopping Mall.

Its a way to see what sorts of deals are available to you as a credit card holder that you wouldnt get elsewhere, Jacon Gibson, chief operating officer of NerdWallet said.

Companies that have invested heavily this past year in IT systems will get the biggest bang for their buck as more and more consumers do their homework before heading out to do their holiday hunting, Black said in a research note.

Clothing Gap Inc.

Internet and technology to inform customers about deals.

This year, the company launched a website, ShopYourselfSocial.com, to help find the best deals from its brands: Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta.

Many apparel stores may offer the deepest discounts during the first few hours of Black Friday.

On Black Friday until noon, Gap stores will have 19 womens jeans and sweaters and 15 GapKids and BabyGap pro-fleece Gap arch hoodies.

Until 1 p.m., Banana Republic shoppers will save 40 percent off their purchase and 25 percent off for the remainder of the day.

Last year, Gap offered shoppers 50 percent off the entire store before noon while Hollister offered 30 percent off the entire store.

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