Walmart, Lowe's have announced Black Friday plans. Here's how the holiday shopping season is different amid COVID-19

Kiss Black Friday in-store doorbusters goodbye.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the hottest deals this holiday shopping season will be available online to reduce crowds and to eliminate the need to rush into a store.

The sales also are starting earlier than in past years and lasting longer to spread out demand in a season retailers say is unlike any other they have experienced.

Experts say it's critical for retailers to start the season early as consumers will be faced with restrictions on how many can be in a store at a time and concerns about online orders not arriving on time.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified “shopping at crowded stores just before, on or after Thanksgiving” on a list of higher-risk activities to avoid and in guidance issued ahead of the fall holidays also suggest more online shopping.

Neil Saunders, managing director of the retail consultancy Global Data, said the idea of any retailer driving crowds of people into their stores is a "non-starter."

"No retailer can run the risk of overcrowding, and so all will be looking to balance the need to drive sales with the need to keep people safe," Saunders said.