Walmart starts early Black Friday deals

Among the headline deals are a Michael Kors leather crossbody for $66, down from $278; a Shark upright vacuum marked at 47% off; an HP 14-inch Windows 11 laptop under $200; and a Crock-Pot 7-quart slow cooker for $35, nearly 60% off. Walmart is also pushing home and outdoor items such as heated throws, motion-sensor lights and portable heaters, signaling that it expects demand not just for gifts but for cold-weather essentials.

The retailer says its first Black Friday Deals event begins online at 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 12, with stores joining at 6 a.m. local time, followed by a larger event starting Nov. 27 and a Cyber Monday promotion beginning Nov. 30. Walmart+ members get early access ahead of the broader public at each stage, a perk designed to deepen subscriptions while nudging more shoppers into the membership funnel.

The timing also highlights the competitive pressure in U.S. retail, where early promotions have become the norm as chains fight for share of holiday spending before consumers spend down budgets elsewhere. Adalytica’s Walmart earnings sentiment gauge is sitting at 18, or “fear,” even as the stock trades around $125.67, above both its 50-day moving average of $113.74 and 200-day average of $118.50, suggesting investors are still weighing execution risk against Walmart’s defensive position in a value-conscious consumer environment.

Amazon shares were last near $266.17, while Target closed at $162.70, putting all three in a seasonal battle for holiday basket share, electronics, home goods and impulse purchases. If Walmart’s early markdowns draw traffic without forcing heavier-than-expected promotions later in November, the company could reinforce its edge with budget-conscious shoppers; if not, the risk is margin pressure as rivals keep extending the sale season.