The real winners this Thanksgiving weekend are consumers as millions of Americans across the country lined the sidewalks late Thursday night and by midnight on Black Friday to stock up on discounted toys, laptops, tablets and apparel, the U.S. National Retail Federation (NRF) said Friday.

"By all appearances and according to CEOs I've spoken with across the retail spectrum, it looks like the early opening of stores on Thanksgiving and the traditional start of holiday shopping on Black Friday is breaking new records, including what companies are seeing through their digital channels," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement.

"The key take away at this point is that the real winners are in fact the consumers, who are recognizing more savings through competitive pricing and great promotions being offered in every category," Shay said.

The Washington-based NRF, the U.S. largest retail trade association, estimated that holiday sales will increase 3.9 percent this year from last year to about 602 billion U.S. dollars.

The NRF defines "holiday sales" as retail industry sales in the months of November and December, the hottest shopping season in America. Endi

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