RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Black Friday marks the unofficial start of holiday shopping, with retail stores preparing for a record number of shoppers this year.

The National Retail Federation predicts nearly 187 million people will shop from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.

That’s three million more shoppers than last year.

Big retail stores are opening early Friday morning.

Target, Walmart and Best Buy will let shoppers in at 6 a.m.

Kohls will open at 5 a.m.

Local shopping centers have staggered opening times.

Southpark Mall opens at 7 a.m.

Short Pump and Chesterfield Town Centers both open at 9 a.m.

Stony Point Fashion Park opens at 10 a.m.

Online deals have been available all week, with more set to release for Cyber Monday.

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