I think it depends on the store.
Last year my son got strept throat on Thanksgiving night. DH had to work the day after Thanksgiving, so I couldn't shop in stores for Black Friday.
I did get to shop online. I didn't even have to get out of my pjs.
Toys R Us had their black Friday sales online (except for the ones in their flyer that were marked as in store only). I bought there. I got some toys.
Best Buy had their black Friday sales online. I bought from there. I got some video games.
I bought from a few other stores, too, but I can't remember which ones. I started shopping around 6am my time, but I'm not sure when the sales actually start. I've never purchased a big ticket item online, and never bought anything that would cost a lot to ship.
I got all my black Friday shopping done at home, took a shower, got DS to the doctor at 9am, and everything went well.

I'm going to be online Black Friday shopping again this year.