Amazon plans to roll out a major two-day holiday event on Oct. 11 and 12. In a bold and unflinching riposte, Walmart is countering with its own online event that begins Oct. 10 and runs through Oct. 13.
Not only does it kick off a day ahead of Amazon’s event, it also wraps up a day afterward.
Take that, Amazon.
Both promotions give shoppers a chance to score bargains before Black Friday and Cyber Monday arrive in November.
What’s on Sale at Walmart?
Walmart is hosting a “Rollbacks and More” sale featuring markdowns across a range of gifts and everyday items, such as electronics, home essentials, apparel and toys. If you’re hunting for a deal on a TV, robot vacuum, Barbie dollhouse or air fryer, this event could be fruitful.
One eye-catching report indicates Walmart will shave $50 off the new Apple Watch Series 8, pricing it at $349.
More specifics will surface once the sale officially begins.
By scheduling its sale to start a day earlier, Walmart is clearly aiming to lure holiday bargain hunters before Amazon’s big event gets underway. It’s retail one-upmanship.
And you won’t need any special subscription to access these offers. Unlike Amazon’s event, which is limited to Prime members, you do not need a Walmart Plus subscription. This sale is open to everyone.
Walmart Plus members do get perks like complimentary deliveries and fuel savings for $12.95 per month.
What About Amazon’s Sale?
Amazon is staging what amounts to a second Prime Day tailored to the holiday season.
The Prime Early Access Sale takes place Oct. 11 and Oct. 12. Amazon bills the promotion as “two days of holiday deals,” positioning it as an opportunity to pick up gifts for the upcoming holidays.
Amazon Prime members will have access to sitewide discounts, potentially snagging bargains ahead of the full holiday shopping rush.
We won’t know the full slate of deals until the sale goes live. Still, Amazon has already revealed some promotions tied to the announcement.
Prime members can immediately enjoy four months of Amazon Music for free (usually $8.99 per month) and Prime Video discounts up to 50% off. Amazon is also including a year of Grubhub+ at no charge.
Amazon Prime provides access to exclusive sales events, free shipping and a bundle of Amazon services. Newcomers can try Prime with a 30-day trial. Ongoing membership runs $14.99 per month, with reduced rates for students and qualifying low-income households.
Which Sale Is Right for You?
Here’s a tip for shrewd online shoppers: Consider waiting until Tuesday so you can compare Amazon’s offers side-by-side with Walmart’s deals.
That approach helps ensure you’re getting the best price.
Jordan Hale ( [email protected] ) is a senior writer at Savinly.
