Amazon unveils Prime Day dates as Walmart, Target announce sales
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Amazon's upcoming Prime Day sale will take place on July 16 and 17 this year, the tech giant announced early Tuesday.
Why it matters: This is Amazon's 10th Prime Day promotion — an annual event designed to boost sales during the summer, when vacations compete for consumer attention and dollars.
- Over the years, it's become an "industry wide shopping holiday" similar to Black Friday and Cyber Monday as major retailers like Walmart and Target have spun up their own version of Prime Day sales.
- The collective Prime Day period now marks the unofficial start of back-to-school shopping and — for some early bird bargain-conscious consumers — a jump on holiday shopping.
When is Prime Day 2024 and deal details
Prime Day sales begin 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, July 16 and go through July 17, Amazon said.
- Amazon said Prime members will get "exclusive access to millions of deals across more than 35 categories including electronics, kitchen, beauty, and apparel."
- Some discounts including a bonus for new Prime Visa credit cardholders will start early, the company said Tuesday.
The intrigue: This year, Amazon is heavily using creators, including Monet McMichael and college basketball star Jared McCain, to promote deals.
- The company also enlisted Megan Thee Stallion to create music for the sales.
Walmart Deals sale announced
Zoom out: Walmart announced on Monday it will hold a July sale of its own from July 8-11.
- This follows a weeklong members-only June sale.
Target Circle Week deals
Target Circle Week is coming back July 7-13, the retailer announced hours after Amazon announced its Prime Day dates.
- The retailer is calling the event its "biggest sale of the season" with savings up to 50% off but unlike Amazon and Walmart, there is a free tier of Target's loyalty program.
Between the lines: This is the first time Target's competing sale will be over before Prime Day begins, according to an Axios analysis of the last five years.
- The retailer has struggled to retain shoppers amid stubborn inflation while Amazon and Walmart have capitalized.
What we're watching: Could the early dates of Target's and Walmart's sale affect traffic and sales?
Best Buy Black Friday in July
Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale returns July 15-17, the retailer said in an email to Axios Tuesday.
- There will be savings on televisions, laptops, gaming consoles and more, Best Buy said.
Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+, Target Circle
The big picture: Amazon Prime Day is designed for Amazon customers who pay for a membership to receive free and fast shipping, among other perks.
- The program has prompted other retailers to start their own subscription services too, kicking off competition for benefits such as same-day delivery wars.
By the numbers: Amazon Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month and includes free delivery, streaming, music and other services like Grubhub.
- In April, Amazon announced the launch of a $9.99 grocery delivery subscription add-on for unlimited same-day delivery orders.
Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month and includes free same-day delivery for orders $35 or more and other benefits like free Paramount Plus and a gas discount.
Target Circle 360, which launched April 7, cost $99 a year but is $49 for Target Circle Card holders, previously RedCard holders, and during Target Circle Week.
More from Axios:
- Target taps Shopify to juice its Amazon-like platform
- What's behind the summer of discounts
- "Quiet vacationing" is the new holiday trend at work
Editor's note: This story was updated with information about Target and Best Buy's competing sales.
