Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (which should not be confused with Prime Day) are happening on October 8-9, 2024. And this Q4 sale kicks off the holiday shopping season with a bang. For Prime members, it’s a treasure trove of exclusive deals and perks like fast, free delivery—the perfect time to score big on everything from tech to home essentials. But it’s not just a consumer event—this two-day sale puts pressure on other retail giants like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, who are rolling out their own deals to compete. Curious how these retailers are gearing up to take on Amazon? Keep reading to see how they plan to lure shoppers with loyalty perks, flash sales, and unbeatable discounts of their own.
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Walmart Deals Holiday Kickoff
Walmart is competing with Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days by launching its Holiday Kickoff Deals from October 9-12, 2024, a timeframe that overlaps with Amazon’s event. This is part of a broader strategy to capture early holiday shoppers before the Black Friday season fully ramps up.
Walmart+ members do benefit from exclusive perks, such as free delivery and access to streaming services like Paramount+. This is part of Walmart’s effort to enhance its loyalty program and encourage signups without restricting deals to members only.
Walmart’s Strategy: The core of Walmart’s approach is non-member accessibility. By making most of its deals open to all shoppers, Walmart seeks to compete directly with Amazon while avoiding the barrier of exclusivity that Amazon Prime creates. At the same time, Walmart+ members receive additional perks, which serve to enhance loyalty and incentivize longer-term customer relationships.
Target Circle Week 2024
Target is also preparing for Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days by running Target Circle Week from October 1-7, 2024, which positions it just ahead of Amazon’s event. This early start allows Target to capture consumer spending before shoppers fully engage with Amazon’s deals.
Beyond the initial Circle Week, Target will continue its “Deal of the Day” program from October 1 through December 24. This program ensures ongoing engagement with customers throughout the holiday season, keeping Target top-of-mind well past Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.
Target’s Strategy: Target’s approach focuses on strengthening its loyalty program, encouraging shoppers to sign up for Target Circle to access these deep discounts. By starting early and extending its promotions long beyond Amazon’s two-day event, Target aims to not only capture early holiday spending but also build sustained customer loyalty throughout the season.
Best Buy’s Holiday Sneak Peek and Flash Sale
Best Buy’s holiday savings events officially begin on September 27, 2024, with an Exclusive Member Sale for My Best Buy Plus™ and Total™ members, followed by an Apple Trade-Up Event from September 30 to October 13. A 48-hour flash sale starts on October 10, aligning with Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.
Best Buy is offering exclusive discounts on top tech brands, such as Samsung, Apple, and Microsoft, with deeper savings available to Plus and Total members. These members can also earn a $50 reward certificate for spending over $500 between September 27 and October 20. The Apple Trade-Up Event offers customers additional savings on new Apple products when trading in select devices.
Best Buy’s Strategy: Best Buy is focusing on early holiday promotions that cater to tech enthusiasts, with a heavy emphasis on high-demand products like TVs, gaming consoles, and smart home appliances. By offering exclusive rewards and early access to its loyalty program members, Best Buy aims to build stronger customer loyalty while staying competitive in the holiday shopping season.
Conclusion
As Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days approaches, the race is on for retailers to capture the early holiday rush. From Walmart’s Holiday Kickoff to Target’s Circle Week and Best Buy’s tech-focused flash sales, every major player is pulling out all the stops to compete.
For e-commerce and digital marketing leaders, this is a critical time to learn from the strategies these giants use—whether it’s through loyalty programs, early-bird sales, or massive discounts. Take a close look at how these retailers engage their audience, and think about how your brand can stand out in a crowded digital marketplace. Use this shopping season as inspiration to refine your strategies, optimize listings, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
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