🛒 Early Start for Holiday Shopping
Walmart is starting its holiday shopping season earlier than ever, kicking off its first Holiday Deals event on Oct. 8. This event will run until Oct. 13, offering consumers a range of deals across various categories like electronics, home goods, fashion, and toys. The early start comes as nearly 50% of consumers are expected to begin their holiday shopping before Halloween, according to a Bankrate survey. Walmart+ members will get a 12-hour head start, beginning at 12 a.m. EST on Oct. 8.
🎯 Competing with Target and Amazon
Walmart’s event coincides with similar sales from Target and Amazon, increasing the stakes this October. Target's Circle Week runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12, while Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days take place on Oct. 8 and 9. This overlap highlights the fierce competition among retailers to capture early holiday spending. Walmart aims to differentiate itself with exclusive deals on popular brands like Disney and Barbie, and low prices on home decor and fashion.
🚚 Expanding Delivery and Marketplace
This year, Walmart has expanded its marketplace offerings and delivery capabilities. New products include sneakers from StockX, premium beauty items, and collectibles. The retailer's delivery network now covers 12M more households, with services like early morning delivery starting at 6 a.m. and express delivery in as little as 30 minutes. These improvements are designed to attract more online shoppers during the critical holiday season.
🎄 Challenges for Retailers
Despite the early start, retailers face challenges this holiday season. Economic and political uncertainties are expected to limit growth in holiday spending, with predictions of just a 1.2% to 3.5% increase in U.S. retail sales. Gordon Brothers noted that a late Thanksgiving shortens the shopping season between Black Friday and Christmas, adding pressure on retailers. Walmart, however, seems poised to leverage its early sales and expanded services to navigate these challenges effectively.
Will Walmart's early sales event help it outperform Target and Amazon?
