What to expect from Walmart's Black Friday sale
Walmart's old Black Friday ads can tell us everything we need to know about this year.
People walk in and out of a Walmart store, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Dallas.
Tony Gutierrez/AP/File
Walmart's Black Friday ad is the hottest of the hot. Every year, when Black Friday season starts to heat up, we get comment after comment, email after email, begging for information about Walmart's elusive Black Friday ad. While this frenzy can be fun, the truth is that you don't need the Black Friday circular to plan for your holiday shopping at Walmart. Why? Because the old ads tell us everything we need to know.
When will we see the 2016 Walmart Black Friday ad?
I get it, you wanna see what exciting new deals are on sale this year. To figure out when, exactly we're going to see the 2016 ads, let's take a look at Walmart's publication dates from the last few years:
- 2013: Monday, November 11
- 2014: Tuesday, November 11
- 2015: Wednesday, November 11
Walmart is super into 11/11 as an ideal ad release day, but the 11th has been earlier in the week these past few years, not on a Friday as it will be in 2016. The ad probably won't drop on Tuesday the 8th, which is Election Day, but we could see it coming out as early as Wednesday, November 9. If it's not out by then, Friday, November 11th will likely be our lucky day. Make a wish for crazy savings!
Once the Walmart ad arrives, you'll find it in our 2016 Black Friday Shopping Guide.
What will Walmart's Black Friday hours be?
Walmart has been opening its doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for the past three years, and we expect it to hold with this pattern in 2016. It's interesting to note that, while Black Friday sale start times have been steadily increasing from 2007 on, last year, a few stores, like Staples and Gamestop made a statement by reversing their stance on Thanksgiving Day hours and reverting back to early morning Black Friday bonanza sales. While we don't expect Walmart to do anything this drastic, if they DID, it would be a game changer for the Black Friday industry. We can dream, but the reality is likely going to be a 6 p.m. Thanksgiving sale start time.
If you're not feeling the idea of ditching your loving family on Thanksgiving Day and dealing with frantic crowds of deal chasers, you probably won't have to. Last year marked the first time that most of the big box store's doorbuster deals were available online, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. We expect to see a similar online sale happening this year, so stay up late while you're marinating the turkey, and hop onto Walmart.com to skip the lines.
What should you expect from Walmart Black Friday Doorbusters?
Small kitchen electronics for under $10
Walmart always has small kitchen electronics, like a crockpot, a coffee maker, a toaster and a skillet, on sale for under $10. Last year they were going for $9.72, the year before, $9.77, and in 2013, these items were sold for $9.44. We don't expect to see much of a change in price this year, so you'll likely see same stuff on sale for under $10!
Chromecasts for $20 or less
Last year, the streaming device was on sale for $20, and it was $25 in 2014. As these plugin devices get more and more mainstream, we're expecting to see them at Walmart for $19 this year, if not a little less. Get ready to turn your regular old television into a Smart TV for less than $20.
Beats Pill Speakers for $100
Walmart has offered a deal on Beats Pills for the last four years. While last year's deal was $149.99, 2014's Black Friday sale offered them for $99.95. We're guessing Walmart will chop off the extra $50 they added on last year and go back to the $100 mark in 2016.
24-piece Pyrex set for $19
This has been at $19 for the past two years, so we predict we're going to see it back there come Black Friday. Right now it's going for $26.42, which isn't too much more than the Black Friday price.
More encore Black Friday Deals at Walmart
These are just a few of the deals we expect to see return for Black Friday at Walmart. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. We've linked to the last three years of Walmart Black Friday ads at the end of this article so you can compare for yourself.
Fitbit Flex
2014: $69
2015: $59
2016 Prediction: $59
Toshiba 1TB Hard Drive
2013: $54
2014: $49
2015: $49
2016 Prediction: $49
HP 2541 Wireless Printer
2013: $29
2014: $29
2015: $19
2016 Prediction: $19
Logitech M325 Mouse
2014: $8.97
2015: $8.88
2016 Prediction: $8.77
iPod Touch
2014: $195 + $30 Gift Card
2015: $165
2016 Prediction: $165
Nikon Coolpix LXX Camera
2013: $49
2014: $47
2015: $49
2016 Prediction: $49
Assorted Movies
2013: $1.96
2014: $1.96
2015: $1.96
2016 Prediction: $1.96
Kids Karaoke Machine
2014: $49
2015: $49
2016 Prediction: $49
50-Piece Wooden Train Table
2014: $40
2015: $37
2016 Prediction: $35
Assorted Board Games
2014: $4.88
2015: $4.88
2016 Prediction: $4.88
Pogo Sticks & Scooters
2013: $13
2014: $15
2015: $15
2016 Prediction: $15
Ride-On Vehicles
2013: $99
2014: $99
2015: $99
2016 Prediction: $99
14' Trampoline
2013: $165
2014: $158
2015: $154
2016 Prediction: $149
Character Table & Chairs
2013: $20
2014: $20
2015: $20
2016 Prediction: $20
VTech SuperStar Learning Table
2014: $20
2015: $25
2016 Prediction: $22
T-fal 18-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set
2014: $49
2015: $49
2016 Prediction: $49
Dyson DC33 Multi-Floor Bagless Upright Vacuum
2014: $199
2015: $197
2016 Prediction: $197
Hardside Upright 20" Luggage
2013: $25
2014: $25
2015: $24.77
2016 Prediction: $25
Brother Sewing Machine
2013: $49.88
2014: $49.97
2015: $49.97
2016 Prediction: $49.97
Compare for yourself!
The deals we've called out above are far from a complete list. Check out the last three years of Walmart Black Friday ads below to make your own comparisons and to help plan this year's holiday shopping budget.