NEW YORK (AP) - Macy's Inc. says it will open all of its namesake stores at midnight following Thanksgiving for the first time as the department store operator becomes the latest retailer to expand hours on the traditional kickoff to the holiday season.

That's four hours earlier than last year. The Macy's stores, which number more than 800, will stay open for 23 hours straight and close at 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.

Target Corp. announced on Friday that it was also opening its doors at midnight for the first time ever and will be offering Black Friday specials starting at that time.

"People want to shop through the night," said Martine Reardon, Macy's executive vice president of marketing. She noted the expanded hours were in response to customers' requests.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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