The Black Friday sale started out as a time for shoppers to get discounted rates immediately after Thanksgiving. However, aggressive stance by retailers have stretched the sales period to even before the holiday itself, up to the start of November.
For this month, giant retailers like Walmart and Target have announced that they will be making an early jump to this year's Black Friday sales already offered discounts for products as early as November first.
In a press release by Walmart, the retail giant said that the holiday discounted rates for the company will start in November stretch for eight weeks, making the Black Friday and Christmas holiday sales dates seem rolled into one.
The sales discounts are not only applicable to in-store purchases as buyers online can also take advantage of slashed-off prices. According to Fernando Madeira, president and CEO of the company, "Our customers are looking for great deals no matter how they shop with us – whether in store, online or on their mobile device."
Because of this, Walmart is ramping up both in-store and online systems. "We're building digital capabilities so it's faster and easier for them to find the right items at the right prices, and get them delivered quickly to their door or to a store."
CNET lists an entry-level Apple iPad Mini 2 for $199, or almost $70 in savings, as one of the frontrunners of Walmart's Black Friday sale.
Meanwhile, another retailer giant, Target, has also started its Black Friday sale for shoppers. According to iDigitalTimes, aside from huge discounts on selected products, Target will also be having a "Buy Two, Get One Free" deal for all video games starting Nov. 9, as well as a price match guarantee from other retailers. Meanwhile, there will also be free shipping and returns from Nov. 1 to Dec. 25, and international shopping and shipping is available to up to 200 countries.
