Some Retailers Plan Holiday Discounts to Make Up for Shorter Season.

Byline: Juana Jordan

Nov. 20--TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--Lori Shiver couldn't care less how many weeks are left before Christmas. She always waits until the last minute to shop anyway.

"I shop the week of Christmas," said the 30-year-old, who perused the shoe department Tuesday morning at J.C. Penney. "When you see me shopping like this, I'm shopping for myself. I can't keep secrets. People who have a hard time keeping secrets can't shop early."

This year the calendar is cutting short the traditional after-Thanksgiving holiday shopping season. With Thanksgiving falling the last week of November, instead of a week before the end of the month, retailers say …