Walmart tries to avoid the Black Friday crowds with discounts for several days
Walmart has unique plans for this year’s Black Friday sales: They will last virtually during all November, with the goal of reducing the crowds in stores during the pandemic (CNN Business).
The largest US retailer announced plans for a “renewed Black Friday savings event.” The sales, which will run over three weekends next month, will begin on its website before hitting stores a few days later.
Tiered sales events are scheduled for the first, second, and fourth weekends in November. They will have hundreds of discounted items, including electronics, toys, and clothing.
Although Walmart is encouraging people to shop online and use its curbside pick-up option, shoppers going to its stores won’t experience the chaos of the past. Now, they will form single line lines at the entrance and will be given sanitized shopping carts.
Walmart said so-called “health ambassadors” will be posted at entrances to remind people to wear masks. Physical distancing will be reinforced inside with capacity controls and one-way lanes.
“By spreading offers over multiple days and making our best deals available online, we hope to make the Black Friday experience in our stores more secure and manageable for both our customers and our associates,” said Scott McCall, Walmart’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, in a statement.
In addition to Walmart, Macy’s and Target also plan their Black Friday.
Macy’s considers starting its Black Friday business drive much earlier, possibly right after Halloween, and plans to adopt another tactic for the first time during the upcoming holiday shopping season. Target plans Black Friday deals to be sold online and in stores throughout November.
Online sales were on the rise even before the pandemic. In 2019, shoppers spent more than $600 billion online, almost 15% more than the previous year, according to the US Department of Commerce.
