Walmart Black Friday Ad 2024: What Most People Get Wrong

Walmart Black Friday Ad 2024: What Most People Get Wrong

Walmart really likes to keep everyone on their toes. If you were looking for the Walmart Black Friday ad 2024 and felt like you were reading a puzzle, you aren’t alone. Honestly, the way they split the sales into "events" made the old-school tradition of waiting for one big paper flyer feel a bit prehistoric.

The strategy was basically a three-pronged attack on our wallets.

First off, they didn’t just have one "Black Friday." They had multiple "events." The first big wave of deals actually hit as early as November 11, weeks before anyone had even bought a turkey. Then came the "main" event on November 25 online, finally hitting physical stores on November 29. It’s a lot to track.

The Walmart Black Friday Ad 2024 Breakdown

People usually think the best deals are saved for Friday morning. Kinda true, but mostly not.

The 37-page ad scan that leaked (and then went official) showed that the digital storefront is where the real war is won. If you waited until 6:00 AM on Friday to walk into a store, you likely missed the Apple AirPods Pro 2 that were sitting at $154 or the MacBook Air M1 at $599. Those were the heavy hitters.

Walmart+ members basically had a five-hour head start. If you weren't a member, you were fighting for the leftovers.

Why the Ad Scans Matter More Than the Paper

The 2024 ad wasn't just about prices. It was about logistics.

Walmart used the ad to push their generative AI shopping assistant. They wanted people to talk to their app to find deals. It’s a bit futuristic, maybe even a little weird, but it shows where they’re heading. The ad also confirmed the store would be closed on Thanksgiving Day. That’s been the trend for a few years now, and it looks like it's here to stay.


What the 2024 Deals Actually Looked Like

Let’s get into the weeds of what was actually in that Walmart Black Friday ad 2024.

  • TVs: The doorbuster was a 65-inch TCL 4K Smart TV for $228. That’s a massive screen for less than a decent pair of shoes.
  • Gaming: They leaned hard into bundles. The PS5 Slim Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle was a big mover at $424.
  • Home: Dyson is always the king of the ad. The Dyson V11 Cordless Vacuum dropped to $349.99, which is roughly $250 off the sticker price.
  • Kitchen: You could snag a Keurig K-Express for $29.88. Honestly, at that price, they’re practically giving the machines away just so you’ll buy the pods.

Sentence variety is key here. Big deals. Low prices. Chaotic shopping.

The "Special Buy" Trap

In the 2024 ad, you saw a lot of items labeled as "Special Buy." Be careful with those. Often, these are products manufactured specifically for Black Friday. They might have one fewer HDMI port or a slightly different plastic casing than the standard model. It doesn't mean they're bad, but it’s why the price is so shockingly low.

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How to Handle Future Walmart Sales

If you're looking at the 2024 data to prep for next time, there's a pattern.

Walmart loves Mondays. Most of their "events" started on a Monday afternoon for the general public. They also love the 50% off Walmart+ membership promo. In 2024, they dropped the price to $49 for the year. If you plan on buying more than one high-ticket item, that membership pays for itself just by giving you early access to the stock before it sells out.

Expert Tips for Navigating the Ad

  1. Check the Page Count: The full ad is usually 35 to 40 pages. If you only see 5 pages, it’s a "sneak peek," not the real deal.
  2. Watch the "Online Only" Labels: Many of the deepest discounts in the Walmart Black Friday ad 2024 never even touched a store shelf.
  3. Compare the Restored vs. New: Walmart pushed "Restored" (refurbished) tech hard in 2024, like the Apple MacBook Pro for $299. It’s a great way to save, but check the warranty.

Black Friday isn't a day anymore; it's a month-long endurance test.

To make the most of these retail cycles, you should start monitoring the "Deals" section of the Walmart app at least two weeks before Thanksgiving. Set up your payment info and shipping address ahead of time. When those "Event 2" deals go live at 5:00 PM ET, items like the $10 JLab earbuds or $15 Levi’s jeans disappear in minutes. Use the ad as a map, but use the app as your vehicle.

Actionable Next Steps:

  • Download the Walmart App: Turn on notifications for "Price Drops."
  • Audit Your Membership: If you aren't a Walmart+ member, wait for the 50% discount window that usually opens in early November.
  • Bookmark Ad Leak Sites: Portals like BlackerFriday or 9to5Toys usually host the full PDF scans before they are easy to find on the official site.