Sears starting sales earlier than ever on Thanksgiving to lure shoppers

Sears and Kmart say they will open on Thanksgiving day again this year with extended hours to draw shoppers.

Sears will open at its earliest time ever — letting shoppers in at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The retailer decided two years ago to open on Thanksgiving and nudged up its opening time by two hours this year.

Kmart will open its doors at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open for 42 hours straight, an hour longer than last year.

The company is also offering special offers at both chains in the weeks preceding Thanksgiving.

A number of retailers have decided to open on Thanksgiving to lure shoppers as the holiday season can account for up to 40 percent of a retailer's annual sales.