Walmart’s Black Friday 2020 event will be spread out over three separate shopping bonanzas that start on Nov. 4.
Walmart announced the “reinvented” Black Friday event today, and said it’s intended to help provide “a safer and more convenient shopping experience” in light of COVID-19. The company’s solution is to spread out the deals over the next month to head off a mad rush of shoppers.
“The retailer will have increased availability of event items to help ensure as many customers as possible can take advantage of the season’s best pricing,” Walmart said.
The discounts will occur on both Walmart.com and at the company’s physical stores across the US. For the first time, buyers will also be able to pick up their Black Friday online orders via curbside pickup at local Walmart stores.
Event 1
The proceedings kick off on at 7 p.m. EST on Walmart.com, when the company plans on offering the first deals, such as a 42-inch “UHD Roku TV” from an unnamed brand at a mere $88. Expect deals on electronics, toys, and home products.
On at 12 a.m. EST, Walmart.com will be updated with new discounted items. In-person shoppers can get in on the deals at 5 a.m. local time when their Walmart store opens.
Event 2
Walmart.com will supply another round of discounts on at 7 p.m. EST. Then on at 12 a.m. EST, the site will get updated with new deals. In-person Black Friday shoppers can go to Walmart stores on Nov. 14 starting at 5 a.m. local time.
The retail giant went out of its way to say the second event will offer “techies great deals on electronics, like TVs, computers and tablets.”
“Walmart will also host its biggest wireless phone event ever in-stores and online on Sat., Nov. 14 with amazing deals on iPhones and Samsung phones,” the company added.
Event 3
On —the day before Thanksgiving—Walmart.com will be refreshed with new deals involving more electronics, toys, and apparel. Like before, expect the deals to be first listed at 7 p.m. EST.
On actual at 12 a.m. EST, Walmart.com will be updated with the final round of online deals. Physical stores will then open at 5 a.m. local time.
Okay, But What About Safety?
Walmart already requires all in-person shoppers to wear a face mask before entering a store. For the Black Friday event, the company plans to “meter” the number customers allowed into its stores to reduce congestion. (In April, it began regulating store capacity for customers to 20 percent.)
“Associates will hand out sanitized shopping carts to customers to help with social distancing, and Health Ambassadors will be placed at entrances to greet customers and remind them to put on a mask,” the company added.
