Get All Access for $5/mo

Target and Walmart Are Making an Unexpected Move to Get You to Spend More This Holiday Season The season of deals is almost underway.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

It's almost that time of year again: the holiday season that compels major retailers to roll out their best deals.

But this year, Target and Walmart, hoping to stave off the effects of inflation and tighter budgets, are taking a different approach. The Washington Post reported the two retailers will start their holiday deals even earlier than usual — in the first week of October.

Related: What's Going on With the Target Return Policy?

Target's "deal days" will begin on Oct. 6, and the retailer will run its price-match program from then until Christmas Eve. Walmart's holiday returns program will launch on Oct. 1. As two of the most dominant players in the retail scene, they'll likely inspire smaller companies to get an early start too.

Though last year saw more holiday shoppers as pandemic restrictions relaxed, inflation's impact on everything from food to fuel might make customers less willing to open their wallets. In fact, Deloitte predicts that holiday retail sales will increase by just 4-6% — far short of the 15.1% growth for the same period in 2021.

Related: How This Immigrant Franchisee Tapped Into Walmart's Power to Grow His Beauty Franchise

Retailers are banking on the assumption that consumers will want to spread out their holiday shopping to avoid a giant bill at once, and getting an early start widens that spending window.

Target Corporation is down 38% year over year, while Walmart Inc is down 8% in the same period.

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

These Companies Offer the Best Work-Life Balance, According to Employees

The ranking is based on Glassdoor ratings and reviews.

Science & Technology

Use This Framework to Successfully Integrate AI Into Your Business Operations

Here's how to ensure both innovation and compliance when using AI in your organization.

Leadership

Why Your AI Strategy Will Fail Without the Right Talent in Place

Using fractional AI experts through specialized platforms allows companies to access top talent cost-effectively, drive innovation and scale agile strategies for growth.

Growing a Business

5 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Business's Online Presence

Boosting your online presence in 2025 is the key to success for businesses looking to grow. Working on your branding and reputation management is important to drive more sales and improve conversion.