Walmart’s holiday sales begin on Thursday, November 12, with the first of three Black Friday events that will run through December 2. Early Black Friday Deals runs November 12 to 15, opening online at 12:01 a.m. Eastern and in stores at 6 a.m. local time, according to Walmart’s announcement of October 26.
The retailer is splitting Black Friday into three waves this year. The main Black Friday Deals event runs November 23 to 29, opening online on November 23 and in stores at 6 a.m. on Black Friday itself, November 27. Cyber Monday deals close the season from November 30 to December 2. Walmart stores are closed on Thanksgiving, November 26.
Members get the hot deals first
Walmart+ members get first access to select online-only “hot deal drops” for 24 hours in each of the first two events. For the first wave, members can buy those items from 12:01 a.m. Eastern on November 12, with anything left over opening to everyone at 12:01 a.m. on November 13. Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month, and Walmart says the membership is also being offered at half price through December 2.
What to know before you shop
Regular deals in each event are open to everyone from the start, so the membership only matters for the limited hot drops, analysts note. Walmart has announced dates but no holiday price guarantee, so the return window on the receipt is the safety net for electronics bought in the November 12 sale. Shoppers should also note that the main Black Friday event reaches stores four days after it starts online, so the best in-store prices arrive on November 27.
Walmart is also cutting the price of its membership for the season, offering Walmart+ at 50% off through December 2, according to the retailer’s announcement. The membership pitch is part of a wider industry shift: several chains now let paying members in first, and Walmart says its Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus memberships can be bought together this season for $120 a year. For shoppers without a membership, the message is reassuring rather than alarming — the regular deals in each event are open to everyone from the start, and the membership only matters for the limited hot deal drops that sell out in the first 24 hours.
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