Walmart and Target Launch October Deals to Jumpstart the Holiday Season

Walmart and Target Launch October Deals to Jumpstart the Holiday Season

As fall approaches, Walmart and Target are not waiting until November to compete for holiday spending. Both retailers have confirmed October sales events that will challenge Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days and push consumers to begin their holiday shopping earlier.

Walmart Deals Runs October 7–12

Walmart will host its seasonal Walmart Deals event from October 7 through October 12, with all offers going live at midnight Eastern Time. Walmart+ members will have early access beginning October 6 at 7 p.m. Eastern. The event will be available online, in the Walmart app, and in stores nationwide.

Shoppers can expect discounts of up to 50 percent on categories that matter most during the holiday season. Featured products include toys from Hot Wheels and Lego, electronics such as smart TVs, seasonal decorations, fashion, and more. Walmart is also highlighting delivery convenience, including same-day services, early morning drop-offs starting at 6 a.m., and express delivery in as little as 30 minutes.

The company has described October as a “critical starting point for holiday prep.” CEO Doug McMillon recently noted that a strong back-to-school season is a positive indicator for holiday sales, adding that store managers across the U.S. have already been involved in holiday planning and product previews.

Financial performance gives Walmart additional confidence. In Q2 FY25, the retailer reported consolidated revenue of $169.3 billion, up 4.8 percent year over year, and raised its full-year outlook. Growth in global eCommerce and stronger gross margins were key drivers.

Target Circle Week Returns October 5–11

Target’s competing Circle Week event runs from October 5 through October 11. Members of Target’s paid Circle 360 program will receive early access starting October 4.

Target has announced more than 20,000 new holiday items and is offering notable promotions such as 40 percent off Halloween costumes. Circle 360 members will also get first access to a line of Shea McGee ornaments. In addition, Target will feature daily Deal of the Day offers across categories that include denim and coffee. The retailer is expanding next-day delivery to more locations to support the season.

Target is approaching this period with urgency. Second quarter results showed net sales down 0.9 percent compared with last year, with softness in both store and digital traffic. A strong holiday quarter is needed to regain momentum.

Why October Events Are Becoming the New Starting Line

The return of October sales signals a shift in holiday shopping patterns. Major retailers are using these events to spread demand, manage inventory, and test consumer interest before Black Friday. This year, Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are scheduled for October 7–8, overlapping directly with Walmart and Target’s promotions.

For Walmart, the timing plays to its strengths in logistics, delivery, and everyday value. For Target, Circle Week provides an opportunity to re-engage shoppers and stabilize performance.

What This Means for Walmart Suppliers

Suppliers and partners working with Walmart should treat October as the first and most important stage of the holiday cycle. Success will depend on:

• Preparing inventory and staging shipments well ahead of the October launch
• Coordinating marketing and promotional plans to build awareness before the event
• Fine-tuning pricing strategies to stay competitive in a crowded promotional window
• Supporting Walmart’s delivery emphasis with reliable fulfillment performance

Looking Ahead

Holiday shopping is no longer defined by the short window between Thanksgiving and Christmas. October has become the true kickoff point, with Walmart and Target setting the pace alongside Amazon. For Walmart suppliers, this shift requires earlier readiness, stronger execution, and closer collaboration to make the most of the extended season.

Winning With Walmart

Winning With Walmart is an independent platform for suppliers, sellers, solution providers, and industry experts.

Articles are developed by staff editors, contributing experts, and trusted partners.

Some are researched and drafted with the assistance of AI tools and are reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by Winning With Walmart editors before publication.

Editorial judgment, sourcing decisions, and final approval rest with the publication's human editors in every case.

We are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you believe this article contains an error, we welcome your feedback.