Walmart has officially entered the October sales fray, announcing its own massive savings event, "Walmart Deals – Holiday Kickoff." The multi-day sale is strategically timed to front-run Amazon's "Prime Big Deal Days," signaling an aggressive start to the 2025 holiday shopping season and turning October into a major battleground for consumer spending.
The announcement confirms that the retail giant will not cede the early holiday momentum to its chief rival. By launching its event first, Walmart is making a calculated move to capture shopper dollars before Amazon's sale even begins. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming event.
When is the Sale? The Early Access Advantage
The "Walmart Deals – Holiday Kickoff" is a four-day event with a crucial perk for loyal customers.
- Early Access for Walmart+ Members: The sale begins exclusively for Walmart+ members on Monday, October 7th, at 12 PM ET.
- General Public Access: The deals will open up to all shoppers 24 hours later on Tuesday, October 8th, at 12 PM ET.
- End Date: The event concludes on Thursday, October 10th.
This 24-hour head start is a powerful incentive to drive membership for the Walmart+ program, a key strategic priority for the company as it builds a loyal, subscription-based customer ecosystem to rival Amazon Prime.
What to Expect: "Black Friday Prices in October"
Walmart is promising "Black Friday-like deals" across its most popular categories, encouraging families to get a significant head start on their holiday gift lists. Based on the official announcement, shoppers should look for deep discounts on:
- Electronics: Expect major price drops on 4K TVs from brands like TCL and Hisense, as well as deals on laptops, tablets, and headphones that are perfect for gifting.
- Toys: This will be a huge focus. Look for significant savings on top brands like LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and other items on kids' wish lists.
- Home Goods: The sale will be a prime opportunity to snag popular kitchen appliances from Ninja and Keurig, high-tech vacuums from Shark and Dyson, and seasonal home decor.
- Marketplace Expansion: A key element of the sale will be the inclusion of thousands of deals from Walmart's third-party marketplace sellers, vastly expanding the range of products beyond what's available in-store.
Strategic Insight: The Battle for the First Dollar
Walmart's timing is no coincidence. By launching its sale the week before Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, Walmart is executing a classic retail strategy: capturing the first dollar. The goal is to lock in consumer spending early, before shoppers are inundated with deals from other retailers.
This move solidifies a major shift in the retail calendar, where October is no longer a quiet prelude but is now the official "Chapter One" of the holiday season. For consumers, this is a massive win. It spreads the cost of holiday shopping over a longer period and provides two distinct, high-stakes sales events to compare prices and find the best deals.
For Walmart, the "Holiday Kickoff" is a multi-pronged weapon: it drives Walmart+ subscriptions, puts pressure on Amazon, and establishes Walmart as the starting point for the 2025 holiday season. Get your shopping lists ready—the battle for your holiday budget has officially begun.
25 Sep, 2025
