Wal-Mart Unveils Black Friday Holiday Deals

For the biggest shopping day of the year, Wal-Mart has planned a similar sales schedule to that followed on Black Friday 2013. On Wednesday (Nov. 12), the retail giant unveiled its top deals for the shopping extravaganza, which include big screen televisions, tablets and loads of licensed merchandise in what is dubbed as 5-days of deals.

“Black Friday is no longer about waking up at the crack of dawn to stand in long lines and hope for the best. At Wal-Mart, it’s become a family shopping tradition where everyone shops at some point throughout the weekend,” said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S. “This year, we’re blowing it out with five days of deals in store and online. We’ll have crazy low prices on the gifts our customers want.”

Wal-Mart said it served 22 million customers on Thanksgiving Day in 2013. With this year’s Black Friday deals beginning Thursday (Nov. 28) and lasting through Monday (Dec. 1), Wal-Mart is predicting that more families – adults and kids – will flock to its digital and physical aisles to take advantage of the retailer’s low prices on electronics, toys, kitchen appliances, bedding and thousands of other popular products.

The retailer said it has store-specific plans to help manage crowds and make the shopping experience easier. It’s also unveiling an interactive circular and bringing back the popular 1-hour guarantee for the top promotional items.

Customers in the designated areas of the store between 6 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 27 can purchase the gift they want and either take it home that night or receive it at a store before Christmas.

“We’re using our entire supply chain to deliver for our customers in a way no other retailer can,” said Mac Naughton. “Our guarantee ensures our customers get the product they came for and enables us to organize the store in a way that makes the shopping experience better for everyone.”

After listening to customers who used Wal-Mart’s 1-Hour Guarantee last year, the retailer has simplified the registration and pick-up process for those that do not receive the product during the event. This year, customers will be asked to take the following steps:

· Bring their 1-Hour Guarantee ticket to the checkout lane and pay for the item.
· Visit Walmart.com before 12:59 p.m. ET Dec. 1 to enter the transaction code from the receipt and choose the store to pick up the item before Christmas.
· Provide the receipt when it’s time to pick up the item. Any corresponding Walmart gift cards will be given to the customer at this time.

In addition to the 1-hour deals, Wal-Mart planned hourly specials that begin Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m. These sales include toys, popular KitchenAid Mixer, bicycles and loads of licensed products from Elsa dolls to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle sleepwear.

At 8 p.m., the retailer will feature an electronics sale offering tablets, big screen televisions, cameras and wireless phones.

Black Friday deals begin at 8 a.m. and shoppers will get 30% off entire categories until noon. Early bird bargains include Fisher Price toys, Christmas Trees and music.

Weekend long deals that run from 6 a.m. Black Friday through Sunday (Nov. 30) include tires, jewelry and the latest smartphones.

Wal-Mart said it will provide $70 million in holiday pay to hourly workers over the weekend. The retailer is also giving those who work Thanksgiving Day a 25% discount on an entire purchase Dec. 4 or Dec. 5.