It's not difficult to see the shift in Thanksgiving weekend shopping patterns.

It was just a couple of years ago that mall and other retail store parking lots were filled to the edges in the early morning hours of Black Friday.l

Not anymore.

In fact, the days of big sales starting at 3:00 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. seem to be over because there's a big push to shop earlier and earlier. Many popular retail chains opened again this year on Thanksgiving, many around 6:00 p.m., then closed a few hours later and reopened anywhere between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Amy of Akron was at Summit Mall around 4:00 this morning and doesn't like the trend. She didn't give in and opted to observe Thanksgiving in a traditional way.

"I think it's for family and I don't think the stores should be open on Thanksgiving," said Amy. "It kind of ruins Black Friday. I mean it's good for us now because there's hardly anybody here but I think it kind of ruins it."

Amy and her friend, Brenda, weren't happy with the sales at a particular retailer compared to 2014, although they still loaded several bags each into an SUV.

"Last year we went earlier and it was 50% off but they don't have that anymore," said Brenda. "Now they have it open all day at 40% off."

Jasmine of Akron was happy with the bargains she found at one of the mall's anchor stores.

"Yes, surpirsingly. I got two pairs of Joggers for $20. That's like impossible."

A couple of vehicles pulled up around 5:00 a.m. containing a whole family from Holmes County. Sure, they wanted good deals but it was really more about doing what they do together every year.

"It's kind of a family tradition and buying some gifts for other people in the family."

Regardless of what times and which days people shop, analysts are expecting sales, overall, to top 2014 numbers.