Not to be bested by smaller retailers, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has decided to start the holiday shopping season on November 1, at least in so far as it has created deals to bring in customers so early.
Management at the world’s largest retailer said:
Dear Santa’s elves, it’s time to start saving. Walmart is unwrapping its first round of 2014 holiday offerings, including the low prices it’s known for and its broadest assortment ever on the items customers need for gift-giving, decorating, family gatherings and every occasion in between.
On Nov. 1, the retailer will offer more than 20,000 Rollbacks on items including groceries and popular brands such as Disney “Frozen,” Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Samsung, and Dell. Just two days later, Walmart is bringing back its popular 24-hour holiday cyber savings event. All season long, customers can take advantage of free shipping on millions of items from Walmart.com.
In what appears to be an effort to undermine sales at Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY), Walmart executives announced:
Walmart has expanded its digital shelves to include 7 million items — one million more than last holiday season. Deals typically reserved for Black Friday and Cyber Monday start on Walmart.com shortly after midnight Pacific Time on Monday, Nov. 3. They include:
Sony 48” LED HDTV for $348, was $448
Nintendo 2DS Handheld Video Game System for $79, was $129
Barbie Dreamhouse for $120, was $148.82 and
Nextbook 7.85” tablet with 8GB memory for $49, was $99
The retailer will also offer hundreds of weekly online specials on electronics, apparel, home and toys. Same-day pickup in Walmart stores is available while supplies last at no additional charge. In addition, free shipping to customers’ homes is available for orders totaling $50 or more. Customers can also choose free shipping to Walmart’s more than 4,300 stores.
Two odd things: Why pick Pacific Time? And where are the sale prices on the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 6?
ALSO READ: Retailers Hiring the Most Employees for the Holidays
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