NEW YORK — To appease early-bird shoppers while waiting in long lines, several big retailers plan to sweeten their Thanksgiving weekend deals with everything from pumpkin pie to a free cup of steaming java.

For the second year in a row, CompUSA Inc. will open on Thanksgiving evening from 9 p.m. to midnight. Just in case anxious shoppers skip out on dessert, the retailer will add another perk: slices of pumpkin pie to those waiting in line before the store opens.

Sam's Club, which will open its doors at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, plans to provide shoppers a free continental breakfast — a hot egg and sausage sandwich, yogurt, fruit, coffee and juice. The warehouse chain anticipates having enough food to last until 9 a.m.

"Breakfast is one less thing they have to worry about," said Susan Koehler, senior manager of corporate communications for Sam's Club. "They can start at Sam's, get fueled up and then move on to other gifts on their list."

Circuit City's approach is focused more on shoppers' peace of mind, rather than their stomachs.

As in years past, starting at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, store associates will begin passing out vouchers to those waiting in line. The vouchers, redeemable from 5 a.m — when the store opens — until 8 a.m., are good for certain limited-supply products.

New this year, though, is Circuit City's plan to let customers in the store in groups, the size of which will vary depending on the particular store's capacity, said spokesman Jim Babb. As people leave the store, others will be allowed in.

"We're trying to make sure that we are respectful of customers and we think this is going to ensure a better experience and help our associates deal with the crowds better," Babb said.