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Walmart Outshines Competitors with Extended Holiday Shopping Deadlines and Competitive Pricing Strategy

As the holiday season reaches its peak, Walmart is providing extended deadlines for last-minute Christmas shoppers, building on its strong performance during the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, where the retail giant saw a 5% increase in U.S. comparable sales and a 5.5% boost in overall revenue.

The retailer has demonstrated strategic foresight by launching its holiday promotional campaign earlier than usual in October,
implementing what it called a “holiday head start” initiative. According to Latriece Watkins, Walmart U.S. Executive Vice President, this approach was adopted in response to customers’ tendency to begin holiday preparations earlier in the season.

For those still needing to complete their Christmas shopping, Walmart has announced several key deadlines. Store locations will maintain Christmas Eve hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., though they will close on Christmas Day. The company has extended its delivery cutoff time to 12:30 p.m. on December 23 for Christmas Day delivery, adding two additional days to the previous deadline. Last-minute shoppers can also utilize express delivery until 4 p.m. on December 24, with Walmart+ members receiving one complimentary express delivery through December 31. For same-day pickup and delivery services, customers have until noon on Christmas Eve to place their orders.

The retailer’s “Last Minute Gifts” promotion, which began December 9 and continues through Christmas Eve, features various discounts, including significant price reductions on items such as pizza ovens and 3D printers, available both online and in physical stores.

Walmart’s positive outlook for the holiday season stands in stark contrast to competitor Target, which has predicted flat holiday sales due to observed decreases in consumer spending. Walmart has revised its fiscal year 2025 net sales growth projection upward to between 4.8% and 5.1%, surpassing its August forecast of 3.75% to 4.75%.

This divergence in performance between the two retail giants has caught the attention of industry analysts. R.J. Hottovy from Placer.ai notes that current economic conditions have led consumers to prioritize retailers offering the most competitive deals. While Target has implemented price reductions on essential items, Walmart’s strategy of price rollbacks and merchandise selection updates, particularly in categories like home goods, toys, and apparel, has resonated more effectively with shoppers.

The retailer has also enhanced its service offerings with early morning delivery starting at 6 a.m. and express delivery options that can fulfill orders in as little as 30 minutes. These services have been expanded to cover more geographical areas across the United States, improving accessibility for customers nationwide.

Walmart’s comprehensive approach to the holiday shopping season, combining extended deadlines, expanded delivery options, and competitive pricing strategies, appears to be paying dividends as consumers continue to seek value during a period of economic consciousness. The retailer’s robust third-quarter performance and optimistic sales projections suggest that its multi-faceted approach to meeting customer needs during the holiday season is effectively maintaining its competitive edge in the retail marketplace.