Sears takes an exclusive approach to Black Friday

Sears is going the private, members-only route this Black Friday in an effort to drive traffic to its stores.

For the first time ever, Sears will open all of its stores to select Shop Your Way members for a private night of shopping for many of its Thanksgiving/Black Friday doorbusters four days early. Sears will hold its "Members Private Night" in all stores on Nov. 22 from 6-9 p.m. While access to the event is by email or text invitation only, members can text the word "EXCLUSIVE" to 73277 to receive an invitation, while supplies last.

The Members Private Night event will also be available online at sears.com from 3 p.m. Nov. 22 to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 23.

"We wanted to do something extra special for our best members this year," said Joelle Maher, president and chief member officer for Sears. "Inviting them to shop four days before the rush of Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday and giving them access to a huge number of deals and savings – more than 1,000 doorbusters – is about as big as it gets in retail."

Sears is also going to offer free services such as buy online pick up in store, ship-to-home and its Reserve It program all holiday season long.

A sneak preview of the Sears Thanksgiving/Black Friday circular is available now via the Sears mobile app or online.

For shoppers who prefer to wait for Thanksgiving Day, Sears will offer its first round of doorbuster deals from on Nov. 26 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and reopen on Black Friday at 5 a.m. with a second round of doorbusters. Sears will offer more than 1,000 doorbuster deals.

Plus, now through Jan. 2, Sears credit cardholders receive 10% back in points on the first $500 of each qualifying purchase with their Sears card, so filling the sleigh means more rewards for members. The offer is valid through Jan. 2 and reward points expire Jan. 30 (valid opt-in email required).

Some of Sears' top deals this season will include appliances, TVs, tools, apparel and fitness equipment.