Consumer Confidential: T-Day shopping, Best Buy free shipping, Google unveils Boutiques.com

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Here’s your wailin’ Wednesday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

--Black Friday is so last year. The trend this year is for retailers to throw open their doors on Thanksgiving itself so that discount-nutty shoppers can get their fix as others enjoy a traditional meal with friends and family. Toys R Us is the latest to announce that it’ll be open for business on T-Day. It joins the likes of Sears, Wal-Mart and Old Navy in announcing that some or all outlets will keep the lights on for the holiday. I guess this is a positive sign, economy-wise. But it seems kind of sad as well.

--Add our friends at Best Buy to the list of retailers offering free shipping this holiday season. The electronics giant says hundreds of thousands of items are included in the offer. But some popular goods, such as iPads, video game consoles and major appliances, are not. On the other hand, all CDs, Blu-ray and DVD movies, and gaming software and accessories won’t cost a thing to ship. I’ve got to say, this free-shipping trend is a good one. Hope it lasts.

--One more retail tidbit: Google has launched a new fashion site, Boutiques.com, that applies the company’s world-conquering search engine to clothes. The site brings together hundreds of virtual boutiques to help you dress like your favorite celebrity or maybe just someone else whose taste you admire. It will also help mix and match different accessories. The only question -- is there a virtual dressing room?

-- David Lazarus