Walmart just launched its counter-offensive to Amazon Prime Day with massive discounts running through October 12. The retail giant is offering steep cuts on WIRED-approved tech including TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and tablets - some matching or beating Amazon's prices. This timing collision shows how retailers are increasingly battling for the same holiday shopping dollars.
Walmart isn't letting Amazon own the October deals spotlight. The retail giant just fired back with its own massive tech sale running through October 12, offering steep discounts that directly challenge Prime Day pricing on everything from budget TVs to premium speakers. The move signals how fiercely retailers are now competing for the same pool of early holiday shoppers.
The headline grabber is TCL's QM6K QLED TV at $548, down from $800 - a 31% discount that makes WIRED's top TV pick even more accessible. That's the kind of pricing that typically only surfaces during Black Friday, but Walmart's clearly betting that consumers won't wait until November to start their holiday shopping.
"We've been preparing for this shift since Q2," one retail industry analyst told The Wall Street Journal regarding the earlier start to holiday deals. The admission reveals how retailers are scrambling to capture shoppers who've grown accustomed to deals appearing year-round, not just during traditional sale periods.
JBL products are seeing particularly aggressive cuts, with the Clip 5 Bluetooth speaker down to $54 from $79. The tiny speaker, which WIRED calls "our favorite clip-on Bluetooth speaker," packs surprisingly robust sound into a carabiner-equipped design that's perfect for outdoor activities. At this price, it's undercutting even Amazon's current Prime Day pricing.
But Walmart's real power play comes in budget computing. The Asus Chromebook CX15 at $139 represents a 37% discount that puts a full-sized laptop within reach of cash-strapped students. ASUS has positioned this model as their budget-friendly option for basic computing needs, and Walmart's pricing makes it nearly impossible to ignore.
The streaming device category shows how retailers are targeting cord-cutters specifically. Roku's Streaming Stick Plus at $35 (down from $58) offers 4K HDR streaming with voice remote functionality - essentials that have become non-negotiable for modern TV viewing.
Industry data from NPD Group shows that October has become the new September for holiday shopping, with consumer electronics purchases jumping 23% year-over-year during this period. Walmart's timing isn't coincidental - they're responding to shopping behavior that's shifted permanently toward earlier deals hunting.
