Walmart to host three early holiday sales — with help from the Muppets
Walmart Inc. is turning Black Friday into a three-part early holiday shopping event — it's also teaming up with everyone’s favorite cast of puppets for holiday marketing.
With affordability expected to be top of mind this holiday season, the retail giant is hosting three major holiday shopping events between Thursday, Nov. 12 and Wednesday, Dec. 2. Walmart has already hosted what it called a “seasonal savings event” known as “Fall Deals” earlier in October.
[READ MORE: Walmart to compete with Amazon’s fall holiday sales event]
The three holiday events include the following.
Early Black Friday Deals: Nov. 12–1
•The sale begins on Walmart.com at 12:01 a.m. ET and in stores at 6 a.m. local time on Thursday, Nov. 12.
•Members of the Walmart+ paid subscription program will have early access to “hot deal” drops, also beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 12. Any remaining hot deal drop items will open to all customers at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 13.
Black Friday Deals: Nov. 23–29
•The event begins on Walmart.com at 12:01 a.m. ET and in stores at 6 a.m. local time Monday, Nov. 23.
•Member of Walmart+ have early access to hot deal drops also begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 23. Any remaining hot Deal drop items will open to all customers at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Cyber Monday: Nov. 30–Dec. 2
•The promotion begins on Walmart.com at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 30.
"This season, we're bringing customers and members incredible savings across three major shopping events, along with the brands they love, exciting new discoveries and easier ways to shop, and even a few 'who knew' moments along the way," said Julie Barber, chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S. "It's all about helping our customers save more, discover more and make more room for what matters."
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During both the Early Black Friday and Black Friday events, select online-only deals will be reserved exclusively for Walmart+ members for the first 24 hours, while supplies last. Curated assortments for all customers will include thousands of items for less than $20, a “Top Toys” list including 25 toys priced under $25, and elevated fashion, beauty and home products at Walmart prices.
Walmart Muppet holiday campaign
Walmart’s new holiday campaign, “A Who Knew Carol,” is inspired by the classic holiday film “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” The campaign includes Muppets such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, The Great Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat and Pepé the King Prawn. Actor Walton Goggins appears as Ebenezer Scrooge and actress/singer Stephanie Beatriz as Scrooge's niece.
"'A Who Knew Carol' brings Walmart’s holiday campaign to life in a way that's playful, memorable and full of unexpected surprises all season long," said William White, chief marketing officer, Walmart U.S. "By pairing the enduring charm of The Muppets with Walton Goggins’ humor, we’re showing that Walmart can surprise customers with the brands, gifts, deals and convenience they need to make the season even more joyful."
The campaign kicks off with the short film "A Who Knew Carol," followed by a series of videos and social content throughout the holiday season.
Walmart, Amazon, Target get early start to holidays
Among the numerous retailers kicking off their holiday promotions as early as October, it is notable that Walmart and its two biggest competitors, Amazon and Target, are all officially launching their holiday campaigns well before the unofficial Black Friday starting date. Fall Deals took place during the same timeframe as two shorter early holiday promotions from Amazon and Target - Prime Big Deal Days and “Target Circle Deal Days.”
Since then, Amazon has launched its two-week Amazon Holiday Beauty Event (which concludes Sunday, Nov. 1), and Target has begun featuring more than 8,000 new holiday gifts, with more than half of the assortment exclusive to the retailer. And beginning Nov. 1, Target will offer a new “Deal of the Day” every day through Dec. 24 and early Black Friday deals will run Nov. 5 to 7, followed by new limited time offers every weekend throughout the holiday season.
Based in Bentonville, Ark. Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.
