Athens police cars are lined up outside the Athens Walmart on a previous Black Friday.

At one time, Black Friday was the busiest shopping day of the holiday season. In recent years, however, more retailers decided to open on Thanksgiving Day or offer lucrative online deals, allowing shoppers to avoid door-buster crowds.

National retail surveys predict this year’s Black Friday will be the second busiest shopping day of the year, behind the Friday before Christmas, Dec. 22. Super Saturday (Dec. 23), the last Saturday before Christmas, is expected to be the third-busiest shopping day.

Coming on the heels of Black Friday is Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Local retail officials urge residents to shop local whenever possible.

“I encourage everyone to buy local, eat local and go local,” said Melanie Newton, executive director of Athens Main Street. By supporting downtown independent businesses on Shop Small Saturday and throughout the year for services, shopping, dining and other needs, you help build community, strengthen the local economy, shape our character, create jobs and opportunities and give back to your community.”

Safety first

While you may be watching out for great Black Friday deals, thieves may be watching you just as closely. Law enforcement officials want shoppers to exercise caution and always be aware of their surroundings. They also advise following these tips:

• When shopping after dark, park in a well-lit, highly visible area. Avoid parking behind buildings and other places where there is very little traffic.

• Shop with others. By shopping with a friend or family member, your chances of being a crime victim are dramatically lowered.

• If you do find yourself leaving stores alone, ask the store for an escort to your vehicle if you do not feel comfortable. Many malls and stores gladly provide escorts for shoppers.

• While shopping, make sure you never leave personal items unattended in shopping carts.

• Have your keys in your hand when walking to and from your vehicle, and use the alarm or alert button to signal help if something is wrong.

• Keep your vehicle locked, and make sure valuables are secured in the trunk or out of sight.

• If you have more packages than you can carry comfortably, ask the store for assistance in getting them to your vehicle.

• Last but not least, if you see any suspicious activity, notify police. For emergencies call 911, but if it doesn’t pose an immediate emergency, call 256-233-8700 (Athens Police) or 256-722-7100 (Huntsville Police). Be prepared to give detailed information about the location and description of the activity. Remember, if you see something, say something.

Black Friday tips

Peruse ads in advance

Many retailers begin advertising their Black Friday deals well in advance of Thanksgiving. This gives shoppers a chance to plan their Black Friday shopping so they can visit stores with the most enticing or time-sensitive deals first.

Teamwork

When shopping, don’t go it alone. Instead, team up with a spouse, neighbor or older children who can then be given certain items to find in the store once doors open.

Don’t shop hungry

Unless shoppers are visiting specialty retailers who cater to a small and very distinct clientele, they should expect long checkout lines on Black Friday. As a result, shoppers should bring snacks along so they get an energy boost and don’t succumb to hunger while waiting on line.

Download retailer apps

Many retailers now have their own smartphone apps, which may or may not advertise Black Friday deals. Download such apps so you can stay up-to-date on the latest deals. Some retailers may even match their competitors’ app-advertised deals.

Open for business

The following national retail stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day. Store information courtesy BestBlackFriday.com:

• Bass Pro Shops: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m

• Belk: Thanksgiving 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black Friday

• Best Buy: Thanksgiving 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black Friday

• Big Lots: 7 a.m. to midnight

• Cabela’s: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Dick’s Sporting Goods: Thanksgiving 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Black Friday

• Dollar General: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Five Below: Thanksgiving 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black Friday

• Fred’s Pharmacy: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• GameStop: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Kohl’s: Thanksgiving 5 p.m. to 1 p.m. central Black Friday (doorbusters end this time)

• Michaels: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; opens at 5 p.m. for rewards members.

• Rite Aid: Hours vary by location (most stores open)

• Stage Stores: Thanksgiving 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black Friday

• Target: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.

• Toys R Us: Thanksgiving 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Black Friday

• ULTA: Thanksgiving 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Black Friday

• Walgreens: Varies by location

• Walmart: 6 p.m.

Black Friday hours

• Academy Sports + Outdoors: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Ace Hardware: Varies by location

• Babies R Us: Opens at 8 a.m.

• Bass Pro Shops: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• Bed, Bath & Beyond: 6 a.m. to noon

• Belk: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Best Buy: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Big Lots: Opens at 6 a.m.

• Burlington: Opens at 7 a.m.

• Cabela’s: 5-10 a.m.

• Costco: Opens at 9 a.m.

• Dick’s Sporting Goods: 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Dollar General: Varies by location

• Dollar Tree: Varies by location

• Five Below: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Fred’s Pharmacy: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Game Stop: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Goody’s: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Guitar Center: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Hobby Lobby: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Home Depot: Opens at 6 a.m.

• Kohl’s: Midnight to 1 p.m.

• Lowe’s: Opens at 6 a.m.

• Michael’s: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• New York & Company: Opens at midnight

• Office Depot and Office Max: Opens at 7:45 a.m.

• PetSmart: 7 a.m. to noon

• Rite Aid: Opens at 7 a.m.

• Sam’s Club: Opens at 7 a.m.

• Shoe Carnival: Opens at 6 a.m.

• Staples: Opens at 7 a.m.

• Stein Mart: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Target: Opens at 6 a.m.

• Toys R Us: Midnight to 11 p.m.

• Tractor Supply: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• ULTA: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Walmart: Opens at midnight

Closed on Thanksgiving

The following national retailers will not be open Thanksgiving Day:

• Academy Sports + Outdoors

• Ace Hardware

• At Home

• Babies R Us

• Burlington

• Costco

• Dillard’s

• dressbarn

• DSW

• Guitar Center

• H&M

• Harbor Freight

• Hobby Lobby

• Home Depot

• HomeGoods

• La-Z-Boy (all corporately owned stores)

• Lowe’s

• Marshalls

• Mattress Firm

• Office Depot and OfficeMax

• Party City

• Petco

• PetSmart

• Pier 1 Imports

• Publix

• Sam’s Club

• Shoe Carnival

• Sprint (corporate and dealer-owned stores; mall kiosks may open)

• Staples

• Stein Mart

• TJ Maxx

• Tractor Supply