Walmart prepares for an October sales competition against Target and Amazon
Walmart Kicks Off Early Holiday Shopping Season with Expanded Offerings and Early Deals
Walmart is gearing up for the 2024 holiday season, marking an early start to the festivities. The retail giant is launching its holiday shopping extravaganza from October 8 through October 13, with significant promotions running from mid-October through December 25th.
This year, Walmart's marketplace features an expanded array of offerings, including sneakers from StockX, premium beauty products, pre-owned items, and collectibles. To cater to its Walmart+ members, the retailer will offer early access to shop the deals online and through the app starting at 12 a.m. EST on October 8.
Walmart is not only focusing on early access but also on affordability. The retailer is introducing the Inflation-Free Thanksgiving Dinner promotion, starting October 14th, offering budget-friendly meal deals for the holiday season. Additionally, Walmart is offering early morning delivery starting at 6 a.m. and express delivery in as little as 30 minutes to ensure customers have a seamless shopping experience.
Comparing Walmart with Target and Amazon
Walmart's early start and focus on affordability set it apart from its competitors. While Target typically starts its holiday promotions closer to October or early November, Walmart leads with an early start by mid-September. Target, on the other hand, emphasises curated product lines, exclusive brands, and promotions timed around Black Friday and Cyber Week.
Amazon, known for its early holiday promotions, begins sales events as early as late September or early October. Amazon leverages large-scale deals across all categories, heavy use of Prime Day-style promotions in fall, and fast shipping for holiday orders. However, Walmart's strategy this year is notably different, with a focus on early deals, budget-friendly meal deals, and wide selection to cater to price-conscious shoppers.
Holiday Shopping Trends and Economic Factors
The upcoming holiday season is forecasted to see a modest rise in U.S. retail sales, with a predicted increase of 1.2% to 3.5%. However, the economic and political uncertainty is attributed to the modest rise in retail sales compared to last year. Nearly half of consumers will start their holiday shopping before Halloween, according to a Bankrate survey.
Retailers, including Walmart, are promoting an early start for holiday shopping this year due to the holiday sales time crunch caused by the U.S. election and Thanksgiving being late in the 2024 calendar year. Alexa Driansky, a managing director at Gordon Brothers, has stated that retailers will feel more pressure this year due to the holiday sales time crunch.
Walmart's early start for holiday shopping is a strategic response to how consumers are shopping right now. With the retailer offering a well-stocked, competitive marketplace for holiday shoppers, it's clear that Walmart is ready to make the 2024 holiday season a memorable one.
- The AI-driven fashion industry is observing a competitive landscape this holiday season, with Walmart taking an early lead in the retail business, offering expanded fashion collections and budget-friendly meal deals.
- The fashion industry is leveraging AI to tailor marketing strategies, as demonstrated by Walmart's use of early promotions and partnerships with platforms like StockX, targeting fashion-conscious consumers looking for affordable options.
- In the finance sector, the fashion retail industry is witnessing a shift in holiday shopping trends, with Walmart's aggressive approach challenging its competitors like Target and Amazon, focusing on early deals and catering to price-conscious shoppers ahead of the 2024 holiday season.
