A special Thanksgiving day sales event at Sears has foreshadowed Black Friday as the biggest shopping day of the season. Shoppers at the first-ever Sears Thanksgiving Day sale said they willingly showed up for the 7 am opening in exchange for beating Black Friday crowds. Sears General Manager Jim McCormick said, "this is what we live for. It's kind of like we prepare all year long for this week. Sears Canada said it was launching its first-ever “black Friday” promotion, matching prices in us stores on hundreds of items. Sears in one of several stores getting a jump on the holiday shopping season and opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day. It was the first time in its 100-year history that Sears opened on Thanksgiving. Shoppers at the first-ever Sears Thanksgiving Day sale said they willingly showed up for the 7 a.m. opening in exchange for beating Black Friday crowds. Last year, a handful of stores were open on Thanksgiving Day and even more stores plan to open their doors on Thanksgiving 2010. Michigan — About 200 people were waiting outside the Genesee Valley Center Sears store before their 7 a.m. opening today, said general manger Glen McMillen. Third-quarter loss nearly doubled, dragged down by weak sales of appliances and clothing at its long-suffering Sears chain. For the first time since its founding in 1886, Sears is opening its doors to eager shoppers on Thanksgiving. The 124-year-old department store opened on Thanksgiving Day for shoppers looking to get a head start on shopping. Sears posts a bigger-than-expected loss, hurt by declines at its namesake chain. Appliance sales are hurting the retailer — but could be what saves it. For the first time in its 85-year retail history, Sears stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day. Henrietta, N.Y. – Shoppers got a jump-start on Black Friday sales.