More stores offer 'extreme' shopping

NEW YORK (AP) - Bargain hunters looking to nab deals right after (or before) devouring their turkey are being bombarded with even more shopping options this year.

Gap Inc. spokeswoman Louise Callagy said 700 Old Navy stores and 300 Gap and Banana Republic stores will open for five hours at noon on Thanksgiving Day. That's more than double the number that opened on the holiday last year. The openings will kick off three-day sales: Old Navy, for example, will offer sweaters at $15 and 50 percent off outerwear.

Toys R Us Inc., which considered opening on Thanksgiving Day, is instead throwing open the doors at its Toys R Us stores just after 12 a.m. Nov. 27, the day after. That's five hours earlier than last year, said company spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh. Its Babies R Us stores will open at 5 a.m. Nov. 27.

Mall operator Macerich Co. said 11 of its 72 malls will open right after 12:00 a.m. Black Friday, compared with two last year.