In many families, it’s a Thanksgiving tradition: Poring over a fat stack of Black Friday ads while enjoying an equally sizable piece of pie. You map out your plan, and a few hours later, hit several different stores before the sun comes up.
This year, that will be different.
Let’s be clear: I’m certainly not advocating that you lose the pie. But after you read up on Walmart’s New Black Friday experience, I’m betting you won’t care what’s happening elsewhere. Here’s a quick guide to get you started – the most important point being that the timing is all up to you.
With five days of deals, there really is a time for everyone. In years past, it's been this dilemma: Set your alarm, or not even bother with sleep? Walmart’s Black Friday schedule of events start Thursday, Nov. 27 and last through Monday, Dec. 1, allowing everyone – adults and kids – to make shopping part of their weekend schedule.
No interest in leaving your couch? No problem. In fact, you can start even earlier when you shop our digital aisles at Walmart.com. Early Thursday morning, Nov. 27, our website will offer some of the same deals that will be available in stores that evening – in addition to hundreds of online-only specials that include free shipping. (And don’t forget Cyber Monday, when we’ll offer even more amazing prices … details coming soon.)
Shop even smarter by prepping with our smart circular. When you’re searching for the perfect gift, item and price is only half the story. While you’re on Walmart.com, check out our first-ever interactive circular for product reviews, buying guides, how-to tutorials and other tips.
Really great gifts, guaranteed. Get in designated areas of the store between 6 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27, and you can either purchase and take home select gifts you want, or have them shipped to a Walmart store before Christmas. It’s called our 1-Hour Guarantee, and building on feedback from our customers, we’ve simplified the process even further this year. See the graphic here for details, and then click here for a list of items that qualify.
Wristbands = the end of waiting in line for nothing. Have you ever shopped Black Friday for that one important item, waited patiently and then went home disappointed? At Walmart, we’ll give you a wristband for in-demand products like the Beats Pill, iPad Air and Nabi 2 Tablet so your time isn’t wasted.
Find what you need faster with store maps. Now that you won’t be mapping out your shopping trip all over town, you can concentrate on exactly where you need to go in our stores. Starting Nov. 18, we’ll have maps on Walmart.com that highlight where 1-Hour Guarantee items, wristband items and other popular products like DVDs and sheets will be located. Printed copies will be available in-store, and you can also access them on our mobile app during the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. events on Thursday, Nov. 27.
So that’s Walmart’s New Black Friday, choose-your-own shopping style. You’ll find the brands and prices you want, and as we work hard to serve you with changes like our Checkout Promise, you’ll have an experience that’s even better. I’ll be visiting stores this Black Friday, and I’m tempted to pick up a few things myself. Have fun, and maybe I’ll see you there!