J.C. Penney to open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving

J.C. Penney has recently trailed rivals with its opening time

 for Black Friday deals.

But this year, it will try to jump out in front by opening at 5 p.m. on

 Thanksgiving.

The department store chain opened at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving last year,

 which was its earliest opening ever. But many rivals opened at 6 p.m. that year.

In 2012, it waited until 6 a.m. on Black Friday to open, as many rivals opened at 

midnight or late on Thanksgiving.

This year's 5 p.m. start will give Penney (JCP) about an hour's edge over many

 key rivals.

So far this year Kohl's (KSS), Sears and Macy's (M) have confirmed they will 

open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

So far the earliest holiday sales will be at Kmart, which like Sears is owned

 by Sears Holdings (SHLD), but will open at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving.