Walmart unveils Black Friday 2021 plans with three sales, early access to deals for Walmart+ members

The world’s largest retailer is spreading out its Black Friday deals for the second year in a row.

Walmart announced Monday that it is bringing back its monthlong “Black Friday Deals for Days” in November.

Instead of one sale that has traditionally started on Thanksgiving, there will be three different events online and in stores like last year. Walmart stores also will be closed this Thanksgiving for the second time since the late 1980s because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The three November sales will all start online first and continue in stores. The first sale starts online at 7 p.m. ET Nov. 3 and then in stores at 5 a.m. local time Nov. 5.

►Save better, spend better: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here

►Best Buy Black Friday 2021:Holiday shoppers, mark your calendars: Best Buy Black Friday deals start to drop next week

But Walmart is offering paying members of its Walmart+ membership program program early access this year. Members can start shopping four hours ahead of the scheduled online start times.

The program costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month and includes free delivery and shipping with no order minimum.

Janey Whiteside, chief customer officer for Walmart U.S., calls Walmart+ “the ultimate life hack for our customers” and said in a statement that the company is “excited for our Walmart+ members to be first in line for the hottest Black Friday deals out there.”

Those on free trials of the membership program do not get early access, Walmart confirmed to USA TODAY.

►Find Walmart deals now:Walmart Black Friday deals now, including discounts on Keurig and the Ninja air fryer

►Will this move save Christmas?:Biden administration looks to fix supply shortages with Walmart, UPS and FedEx by Christmas

The second starts online Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. ET and then at 5 a.m. local time Nov. 12 in stores. Walmart didn’t provide dates for the third sale but said it “will wrap up a month of savings with a third event that will bring its biggest, best savings of the season for the most exciting shopping day of the year.”

Walmart says the “events are designed for a safe, enjoyable experience” and that all of the deals are online and “to help ensure safe shopping in stores, Walmart follows CDC guidance and local mandates.”

Experts recommend that consumers start shopping for holiday gifts now ahead of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, which is often seen as the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

Best Buy is kicking off its Black Friday sale Oct. 19 and Target has started a new holiday price match guarantee. Amazon also has its Epic Deals pre-Black Friday sale underway.

Black Friday Event 1: Walmart says the first sale has “amazing deals on toys and electronics” and includes a 55-inch TCL 4K Roku TV for $228 and Keurig K-Compact for $35. Deals will begin online at 7 p.m. ET Nov. 3 and at 5 a.m. local time Nov. 5. (Walmart+ members can shop from 3 to 6 p.m. ET Nov. 3.)

Black Friday Event 2: The second sale includes savings on apparel, home goods, hardlines and more. Deals will begin online at 7 p.m. ET Nov. 10 and at 5 a.m. local time Nov. 12. (Walmart+ members can shop from 3 to 6 p.m. ET Nov. 10.)

Black Friday Event 3: Walmart didn’t provide dates on this last sale but says it “will wrap up a month of savings with a third event that will bring its biggest, best savings of the season for the most exciting shopping day of the year.”

The retailer said there are “thousands of deals available right now on Walmart.com," plus Black Friday savings on select items starting Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET, while supplies last.

Walmart said there will also be "Rollbacks on items across the store and on Walmart.com, on top of its everyday low prices."

►Target Lego collection:Target to release limited-edition Lego collection with clothes, accessories, home goods and more in time for holidays

►Christmas shipping deadlines 2021:FedEx, UPS and USPS say these are the last days to ship gifts

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko. For shopping news, tips and deals, join us on our Shopping Ninjas Facebook group.