Walmart is launching its holiday deals event earlier this year, running from October 8 to October 13, both online and in stores. This extension increases the event from four to six days, offering discounts on products such as tech, toys, fashion, and home goods. Additionally, Walmart will lower prices on holiday meal items starting October 14, weeks earlier than last year.
Walmart believes this strategy gives customers more time to plan and shop, reducing last-minute stress. Walmart is also expanding its same-day delivery services to an additional 12 million households, with four of its five new high-tech fulfillment centers fully operational, streamlining deliveries.
Walmart’s earlier holiday event reflects shifting consumer behavior, as more shoppers start buying gifts before November to manage their budgets. Surveys show nearly half of holiday shoppers begin purchasing as early as August, and companies like Walmart are adapting their marketing to align with this trend, offering more value-focused deals earlier in the season. Despite inflationary pressures, Walmart saw a 5% revenue increase in the second quarter and remains optimistic about consumer demand.