One of the leading questions of this year’s sales event is sale start times. Many stores have faced a backlash from employees who have worked through Thanksgiving day, and also from shoppers who complain that it interrupts their holiday dinners. In turn, several retailers have chosen the path of good PR (i.e. GameStopand Staples), and will keep doors closed to shoppers on Thanksgiving. This leaves consumers wondering…will Walmart Black Friday follow the trend? We predict that they won’t play along and their doors will open at 6 P.M. on Thanksgiving day. After all, the week of Black Friday is the most important time of the year for stores to get out of the red and into the black.
With Thanksgiving day being so competitive for retailers and so iffy for shoppers, Walmart usually hosts a pre-Black Friday event one week early. The event will likely return this year, offering deals on toys and electronics for the entire week leading up to Black Friday. Even better, we expect that this affair will include Walmart’s ad match feature, which guarantees that you won’t pay more for any item advertised at one of Walmart’s top competitors. This is exciting because typically Walmart will not honor ad matching for items bought during their Black Friday sales.
Doorbusters for Days
Don’t get in line just yet, but Walmart Black Friday doorbuster deals are always one for the books. So if you are looking for those dirt cheap items you see in the ads, be prepared to shop at Walmart! We foresee this year’s doorbuster deals to follow suit from last year, bringing three days of deeply discounted items while supplies last. If we are correct, you can expect each day to have different deals beginning at 6 PM and 8 PM on Thanksgiving, and 6 AM on Black Friday. These doorbusters are the main reason that shoppers will camp out overnight and wait in massive lines. Last year’s deals included great deals on HDTVs, iPad minis, video game console bundles, laptop deals, electronics accessories and so much more.
The most important thing to know about Walmart’s doorbuster deals is the one-hour guarantee. This ensures that all those who wait in line will get the item they were waiting for, at the right price. Last year, in order to participate in the one-hour guarantee, wristbands were distributed to those who waited in line. This wristband guaranteed that if a doorbuster item sells out in the first hour, you can still purchase the item at the advertised price before the hour is over and receive it before Christmas. We suspect that the one-hour guarantee will be in full force again this year, as it has been an important part of protecting shoppers from stampedes of deal-thirsty consumers in the past few years. The promotion is usually spread out and runs in a few separate events from the evening of Thanksgiving to Black Friday morning. See what to expect from last year's Walmart 1-Hour Guarantee ad 2014.Walmart's 1-Hour Guarantee ad (in-store only offer) from 2014
Hottest Doorbusters for 2015
The following items will run out quickly, so take note of what we predict will be the hottest Walmart doorbuster deals this year.- Vizio 65” Class Smart LED HDTV
starting at $648.
- iPad Minis
starting at $169.
- Xbox One Bundles
starting at $300.
- HP Laptops
starting at $239.
Black Friday Sale Predictions by Category
TVs
Walmart Black Friday TV Deals should see a price drop this year, as the past two years have shown quite the upgrade. See the comparison for yourself below! (Predictions are based on doorbuster deals)
Walmart Black Friday Ad 2013
Walmart Black Friday Ad 2014
HDTVs
- 32” starting at $70
- 55” will go for the mid $300 price range
- 65” will reach just under $500
- Starting at $98 for 32”
- Starting at just under $600 for 65”
- 4K UHD TVs will be pricier, ranging from $598 for smaller sizes and over $1000 for larger sizes.
Tech
Deals on the latest technology are a huge hit with Black Friday shoppers, and Walmart is no newbie to bringing competitive deals to the table. Here are our predictions.
- Smartphones
:
- Deals will vary, but carrier subsidies will be less prominent this year, with more gift card bundle incentives being offered. We don’t expect to see as many $0 down/2-year contracts. Rather, trade in specials and monthly payment options will likely get you the best deal.
- Tablets
:
- Less
- iPads: ranging from $169 for the iPad mini 2 to $799 for the iPad Pro
- Microsoft Surface 3 & Pro 3:
- starting at $349 and $749, respectively.
- Video Game Console Bundles
starting at $300
Toys
Walmart has already released their "Chosen By Kid" Toy List for 2015.
- Classic Board Games: starting at $5
- Large Plush Dolls: starting at $10
- Disney Frozen Elsa Doll: starting at $28
- Lego Sets: up to 60% off
Home & Garden
- Croc-Pots, George Foreman Grills, Black & Decker Coffee Makers: starting at $9
- Electric Heaters: starting at $35
- Tool Sets: starting at $49
- Sheet Sets: Starting at $25
- Sertapedic Luxury Pillows: starting at $5
Apparel
- Kids’ Character-themed sleepwear
: starting at $4
- Women’s winter jackets
: starting at $10
- Men’s hoodies
: starting at $9
- Winter accessories
(socks, scarves, gloves): starting at $3
No comments:
Post a Comment