Walmart has split its holiday season into three events, with early Black Friday deals running November 12 to 15, according to the company’s announcement. Deals go online at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time and in stores at 6 a.m. local time. The main Black Friday event follows from November 23 to 29, online at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on November 23 and in stores on November 27 at 6 a.m. local time. Cyber Monday runs November 30 to December 2, online only.
Members get first access.
Walmart+ members get early access to hot deal drops at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on November 12 and November 23, with remaining stock opening to everyone a day later, the company said. The tiered access mirrors the approach at other retailers, where membership or loyalty status buys a head start on the most popular items. Black Friday itself lands on Friday, November 27 this year. Walmart’s three-event structure gives shoppers multiple chances at seasonal pricing rather than a single high-pressure day, analysts said.
What to watch.
Shoppers should confirm whether a deal is online-only or available in stores, since the two channels open at different times and stock can differ. Deal trackers cautioned that prices should be verified on the retailer’s own site before checkout, as early previews can change. With Best Buy’s season already under way, Costco’s first wave live and Target’s early event starting November 5, Walmart’s November 12 start keeps the retailer in the middle of the deal calendar — late enough to compare rivals’ prices, early enough to shop before Thanksgiving. The membership angle is worth weighing before the November 12 opening. Walmart+ members get early access to the hottest deal drops at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on November 12 and again on November 23, with leftover stock opening to everyone a day later. For shoppers chasing a specific high-demand item, that 24-hour head start can be the difference between securing it and missing out. For everyone else, the three-event structure still offers plenty of opportunity: the early event, the main Black Friday run from November 23 to 29, and the online-only Cyber Monday event from November 30 to December 2 each bring fresh stock and pricing, so missing one wave does not mean missing the season.
Related reading: Walmart Sets Three Holiday Sales Events From November 12 and Target Early Black Friday Runs November 5-7 With Daily Deals.
