Wal-Mart unveils holiday schedule and game plan

Wal-Mart Stores will be among retailers remaining open on Thanksgiving Day. The retailer said its stores will be open all day but the sales event will begin at 6 p.m. local time. Consumers wanting to get started earlier can begin seeing Black Friday deals online at 12.01 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.

The retailer said it will try and help customers save time by introducing color-coded departments in stores. Electronics, toys, home and apparel will be color coded in the Black Friday circular and on the retailer’s store maps available on the event night. The color codes should make it easier for customers to navigate to \ deals around a crowded store, the company said. Wal-Mart said customers can look for colored balloons, signs and employees in the vest color to help them identify key areas.

Holiday helpers will be wearing reindeer hats and headbands, and will be stationed around the store to distribute store maps and assist customers in finding featured products. Walmart.com began its Rocking Deals promotion Thursday (Nov. 9) that will run through Nov. 12. The deals include electronics and toys.

Steve Bratspies, Wal-Mart’s chief merchandising officer, said the retailer is prepared to draw in shoppers this holiday season.

“We know the categories and items customers are looking for, have focused our assortment on those top items, pricing them so we cannot be beat and buying deep to ensure more availability,” he said.

Sam’s Club is closed on Thanksgiving Day, but also has planned to kick off its holiday promotions early on Saturday (Nov. 11). During the event, members will have exclusive access to big savings on the hottest holiday gifts. Members who download the Sam’s Club app get an exclusive sneak peek at holiday savings, Sam’s Club spokeswoman Laura Ladd Poff said.