Target Corp. has kicked off its holiday push by offering what the company calls Black Friday deals on nine items that can be ordered online and picked up at a Target store.

The discount store chain said it will also offer Black Friday prices on selected merchandise both online and in stores on the day before Thanksgiving.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has kicked off its holiday push by offering what the company calls Black Friday deals on nine items that can be ordered online and picked up at a Target store.

Target Corp. has kicked off its holiday push by offering what the company calls Black Friday deals on nine items that can be ordered online and picked up at a Target store.

The retailer said Monday it will also offer Black Friday prices on selected merchandise online and in stores on November 26, the day before Thanksgiving.

Shoppers will be able to get a preview of those deals in Target’s weekly ad on Sunday, November 23.

Black Friday, or the day after Thanksgiving, is typically considered the start of the year-end holiday shopping season, and many retailers offer promotional sales to kick-start the season.

On Thanksgiving morning, Target said, online shoppers will have access to all discounts that will be available when stores open later that day — at 6 p.m. this year, two hours earlier than last year.

“We know our guests are pulled in a million different directions as the holidays get under way, so we’re helping them save time and money by offering more access to Black Friday deals,” said Kathee Tesija, Target’s chief merchandising and supply chain officer. “Whether shopping online, on their phone or in our stores, Target’s guests will find Black Friday deals on top gifts throughout November. And to deliver even more savings, all Target.com orders ship for free until December 20.”

On Black Friday, from 6 a.m. to noon, Target customers can purchase up to $300 in Target gift cards at 10% off, the company says. It is the first time that Target has offered a discount on gift cards.

Beginning Monday, December 1, Target customers will find new deals every day at Target.com as part of Target’s largest Cyber Week sale, with more than 100,000 items on sale throughout the week, the company said. The offers will include categorywide sales in key gifting areas and steep discounts on apparel, toys, housewares and major brands such as LeapFrog, Dyson, LG, Kitchen-Aid and Canon.

The retailer is also betting that increased advertising and 35,000 new items will add excitement for shoppers and boost traffic.

Target is boosting its spending on digital initiatives for the holidays, including social media campaigns that reward shoppers for posting photos while they’re shopping in a Target store.

Target’s coupon app, Cartwheel, will feature a new toy at 50% off every day through Christmas Eve. And Target’s iPad app lets young customers shop a virtual catalog like a game, adding products to a wish list parents can then order directly from the app.