POLL: What Do You Think of Target's Decision to Open at Midnight on Thanksgiving Night?

As Thanksgiving Day looms closer and closer, for retail stores, that means one thing - the start of holiday shopping season.

The day after Thanksgiving, known as "Black Friday," is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year across the country. In recent years, the race to compete for customers' dollars has gotten more and more competitive amongst retail companies. Opening times at stores have been creeping back earlier and earlier, from as early as 4 a.m. Now, some stores are even announcing plans to be open with special shopping deals on Thanksgiving Day.

But this season, a decision by the national retailer  has made it the bullseye of a lot of criticism.

Target announced on Oct. 28 that all stores would open at midnight on Nov. 25, "to provide shoppers with a jumpstart on unbeatable Black Friday deals."

This didn't sit well with some employees because they'd have to enter work several hours earlier than usual and at least one Anthony Hardwick, of Nebraska, went public with his dissatisfaction.

"And it’s not just employees who are angry," Hardwick said about the nearly 91,000 people who've signed an online petition on Change.org. "Customers have signed onto my campaign as well, and many are starting their own petitions. Clearly, the retail giants have gone too far."

Some other major have not followed suit. For example, J.C. Penney will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day.

“We wanted to give our associates Thanksgiving Day to spend with their families," said Bill Gentner, senior vice president for marketing at J.C. Penney, in an interview with the New York Times.

What do you think?

Vote in our poll below!

And, tell us in the comments - which stores do you plan to hit up this year? What will you be shopping for?