In what may be a compromise between opposing Thanksgiving Day camps (to open or not to open?), Sears said it will once again delay opening its doors on the national holiday until 6 p.m. that evening.
The stores will then remain open until 2 a.m., and re-open at 5 a.m. Black Friday morning for another round of doorbuster sales. Store managers and associates will finally be able to catch their breath when the doors close at 10 p.m. Friday night.
Sears is sticking to its Thanksgiving guns, and last year’s store schedule, despite past protests from some quarters and the decision by national chains like Staples, GameStop and REI to remain closed for the family holiday.
Sister chain Kmart, which has traditionally kept non-stop marathon hours from early Thanksgiving morning through midnight on Black Friday evening, has not yet announced its holiday plans — aside from reviving its decades-old Blue Light Specials, which have been updated with mobile notifications in addition to old-fashioned in-store alerts.
Sears said its other holiday incentives include its suite of integrated, cross-channel retail services, including the ability to pick up online orders placed with Sears or Kmart at either chain’s stores, and guaranteed curbside pick-ups and returns within five minutes or less.
In other news, the company has launched a new home services site at SearsHomeServices.com that provides quick DIY appliance fixes, online appointment scheduling, and ratings and background info on local Sears technicians.
The retailer said its DIY fixes are derived from analyzing decades of home and majap repair data.
“As a leader in the home services industry, Sears Home Services is enhancing our website after listening to feedback from our members,” said recently named division president and former Best Buy exec Sean Skelley. “Our new website connects homeowners to repair or improvement experts quickly. So whether it’s one of our more than 6,000 technicians to fix a washer, or a home improvement specialist to provide specifications for a new heating system or roof, SearsHomeServices.com has you covered.”
