In this recession, local retailers are pulling out all the stops to avoid being trampled in the holiday rush.

In one instance, it also involves a change of clothing from the normal shopping attire. At the stroke of midnight, the first 500 shoppers who arrived at the big tent in front of the Bose Factory Store — dressed in their pajamas — received a goodie bag filled with special coupons.

One of those 500 shoppers will receive a $500 gift card in their bag and feel a little merrier than the rest.

In addition to the midnight promotion, Prime Outlets — Gaffney shoppers can click on the company’s Web site to learn of the big discounts at Aeropostle, Banana Republic Factory Store and Adidas.

“We recommend that people get here early,” Prime Outlets-Gaffney marketing director Leesa Bodden said.

The outlet mall has extended their hours for holiday shoppers. Today, Black Friday, the mall will close at 10 p.m. On Saturday, the mall will open a little earlier than usual at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Store hours for Sunday are from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Power shoppers are used to getting good deals at outlets, but Belk at Peachtree Marketplace Manager Jim Tyler insists his store prices compare favorably to any discounter. But you likely needed to get up before the sun to scoop up the gift cards, which ranged in savings from $5 to $1,000 and handed out to the store’s first 250 customers.

“The prices I have are unbelievable,” said Tyler, who opened his doors at 4 a.m. Friday.

Tyler is selling women’s boots for $19.95. He also has cut 60 percent of the price tag for leather coats and 50 percent off the retail price of shoes.

Just in time for Saturday’s big clash, Belk is selling Gamecock and Tiger hoodies for $14.99.

Like the outlet mall, Belk is extending its hours throughout the holiday weekend, including opening at 11 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. Sunday.

To make shopping a little less stressful and reduce congestion, Walmart directed shoppers into lines — similar to those at amusement parks — to buy some items. The store had some serious deals on electronic items in general, and televisions in particular.

Big Lots, which opened at 6 a.m. today, is also relying on a timetested technique to lure in shoppers — a “$10 off” coupon for purchases that total $50 or more.

The National Retail Federation is predicting shoppers will spend about 3 percent less this holiday shopping season, but Tyler and the other local retailers aren’t buying it.

“My business has been pretty good and I expect that to continue,” Tyler said.

Walmart manager Andrew Williams said, “I’m very optimistic about this (holiday shopping season) because of the recession people are really looking for deals.”