Walmart to Get Black Friday Headstart on Thanksgiving

Walmart is getting a head start on holiday sales this year by offering Black Friday deals starting at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, according to a CNBC report.

Walmart did the same thing last year, and this year it plans to host parties between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day before the stores - and the deals - officially open at 6 p.m., according to the article.

CNBC also reported that this year the retail giant will open up their online Black Friday deals at 10 p.m. EST on Wednesday, November 21.

“We’re trying to allow folks on the East Coast to shop a little earlier,” Walmart U.S. chief merchandising officer Steve Bratspies said, according to the article.

As part of their efforts to stay competitive this holiday season, Walmart announced in October their new mobile device checkout service, Check Out With Me, which involves store employees helping customers avoid long lines by using a mobile checkout service.

By opening up its Black Friday sales early, both online and in stores, Walmart could potentially take some business away from retail franchises that might stick with normal or shortened hours on Thanksgiving - or even just be closed altogether.

While many a business enterprise, especially in the retail sector, might try to capitalize on Thanksgiving sales, other brands elect to stay closed. Chick-fil-A is an excellent example of this.

In a November 2017 post on its blog, The Chicken Wire, the fast food chain clarified that while it would be open the Friday after Thanksgiving, it would be closed on the actual holiday: “We’re taking time this day to reflect on what we’re grateful for - our family, friends, Team Members and guests - and to enjoy our second favorite bird. We hope you have the chance to do the same.”

Read the full report at CNBC.