October Deal Days: What to Buy This Week, and What to Leave for Black Friday
The autumn sales all land this week, and they overlap almost exactly:
- Walmart Deals — October 5–11, and no membership required
- Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — October 6–7, Prime members only
- Target Circle Deal Days — October 6–7, with Circle 360 members getting in on the 5th
- Kohl's — October 6–9
Amazon, Walmart, Target & Kohl's Deal Days – Up to 50% Off Holiday SavingsUp to 50% OffView deal
The thing that makes this week different from Black Friday
On Black Friday, the headline TV at each retailer is usually a retailer-exclusive model number — a derivative configuration built for that chain at that price — which means the same-looking set at four stores can't actually be compared. That's by design, and it's the same trick a clearance price tag plays with an invented "original" price.
This week is the opposite. The four events are running on mainstream, identical SKUs at the same moment. For 48 hours, opening four tabs and comparing a single model number is a genuinely useful thing to do — and it will be much less useful on 27 November.
So: this is the week to comparison-shop. Black Friday is the week to already know what you want.
Use the baseline you wrote down
If you did the fifteen-minute Black Friday prep last week, this is the first time that list earns its keep. Pull it out and compare.
The reason it matters is the same one as in November: in research tracking prices across a Black Friday, about 36% of "deals" were no cheaper than the item had been in the weeks before. A sale banner is not evidence. The number to beat is the one you recorded, not the one struck through on the page.
If you didn't make a list, make it now anyway — not for this week, but because the same question arrives again in seven weeks.
Buy now, or wait for 27 November
The split is not about how big the discount looks. It's about who sets the price.
| Buy during Deal Days | Why |
|---|---|
| Amazon's own devices — Echo, Fire TV, Kindle, Ring, Blink | Only one company prices these, so they discount when they want attention. That's now, not November |
| Household basics and pantry | Volume-driven and genuinely cheapest during these events |
| Beauty and hair tools | Reliably one of the deepest categories this week |
| Small kitchen appliances | Air fryers, blenders, coffee machines — heavily discounted now |
| Amazon Basics | Same logic as the devices |
| Wait for Black Friday | Why |
|---|---|
| Premium TVs and OLED sets | Five retailers compete head-to-head in November; that competition makes the floor |
| Laptops | An October event might take $50–100 off; late November reaches $150–250 |
| Major appliances | Washers, fridges, ranges — November and the surrounding weeks are deeper |
| Game consoles | Bundles appear in November, not October |
The underlying rule, which decides the cases not on either list: if Amazon sells it first-party, buy now. If Best Buy, Target, Walmart and the manufacturer all stock it, wait.
An Amazon device is the clean illustration — this is exactly the category that hits its annual low this week rather than in November:
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select for $17.99 — 2026 ModelOnly $17.99AmazonView deal
And household basics, the other category that genuinely bottoms out now:
Save $15 When You Spend $50 on Amazon Household EssentialsSave $15 on $50+AmazonView deal
Outside the Amazon ecosystem, the week's non-Prime events are where the apparel and accessory deals live:
$50 Off Samsung P9 Express 512GB MicroSDXC - Now $99.99 at AmazonSave $50 (33% Off)AmazonView deal
If you don't have Prime
You are not locked out of this week, and it's worth saying plainly because the marketing implies otherwise.
Walmart's event requires no membership at all and runs the longest — the 5th through the 11th. Target's needs a free Circle account, not the paid 360 tier; 360 only buys you a day's head start. Kohl's is open to everyone.
Amazon's is genuinely Prime-only. A free trial will get you in, and that's a legitimate move — but it is a subscription trial with a date on it, and it converts quietly. If you start one, put the cancel date in your calendar before you finish signing up, exactly as with the other "free until you forget" offers this month.
Four things to do before you check out
- Check the price history, not the percentage. A struck-through number is a claim, not a fact.
- Note the model number including any suffix. This is the week it's worth it, because the comparison actually works.
- Remember the return window stretches. Most large retailers extend holiday returns into late January, which is what makes buying in October safer than gambling on November. Exact dates get published over the next few weeks — and watch for restocking fees, which the extension doesn't remove.
- If it drops again before the holidays, ask for the difference. Many retailers will refund it within a window, and most people never ask. That's the whole of the price adjustment guide.
The short version: Walmart's running now with no membership, the real 48 hours are the 6th and 7th, and this is the one week where comparing the same model across four stores actually tells you something. Buy Amazon's own hardware, household basics and beauty now. Leave TVs, laptops, major appliances and consoles for 27 November — the prep guide covers the rest of that runway. More of today's deals are below.
Related deals
100% Back in Points on Command Products at Staples – Up to $40
Staples Easy Rewards members can earn 100% back in points on Command brand purchases, up to $40 in points. This effectively makes your Command products free when you redeem those points on a future purchase. How to Get This Deal: Log in to your Staples Easy Rewards account at staples.com or via the Staples mobile app. Activate the Command offer in your Easy Rewards dashboard. Shop Command products in-store at a Staples U.S. location or online at staples.com. Provide your membership number at checkout. Points will be credited after your purchase. Key Terms: Maximum of $40 in points earned per member Valid in Staples U.S. stores and on staples.com (not valid on Instacart, DoorDash, or Uber Eats) One-time use per Easy Rewards member during the promotional period Points are calculated on the amount paid after coupons, promotions, and instant savings (taxes and shipping excluded) Cannot be combined with other Easy Rewards promotions in a single transaction Offer expires 10/10/2026 — activate before shopping This is a solid way to stock up on Command strips, hooks, and other adhesive products at no net cost if you plan to use the points.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Lotion from $1.79 (Reg. $7.99) at Amazon
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Lotion (5 oz) is priced as low as $1.79–$2.59 at Amazon right now, down from its regular $7.99. To reach the lowest price, stack a $5 clippable coupon with the Subscribe & Save discount at checkout. How to get the deal: Visit the product page on Amazon Clip the $5 coupon on the page Select Subscribe & Save to apply the additional discount Your final price will be $1.79–$2.59 depending on your S&S percentage Key features: Provides up to 24 hours of continuous hydration Formulated with prebiotic oat to nourish and soothe skin Lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy texture Free of added fragrances, parabens, and dyes — allergy tested Suitable for normal, dry, and sensitive skin types Can be used on face, neck, hands, and body From a dermatologist-recommended brand with 80+ years in oat science Prices on Amazon can change quickly, so act sooner rather than later if you're interested.
Apple Watch SE 3 GPS Starting at $199 on Amazon
The Apple Watch SE 3 GPS is available at Amazon in two sizes, starting at $199. This is Apple's most accessible smartwatch, offering core health and fitness tracking features at a fraction of the price of the flagship models. Available options: Apple Watch SE 3 GPS 40mm — $199 Apple Watch SE 3 GPS 44mm — $229 Choose the size that fits your wrist and budget. Prices can change without notice, so check the listing to confirm availability at the listed price.
$80 Off Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Now $169 at Staples (Easy Rewards Members)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 are available for $169 at select Staples locations for Easy Rewards members — the lowest price recorded on this model. Current price: $169 (Easy Rewards members) Original retail price: $249 at Apple Previous low: $199 at Amazon and Costco Savings: $80 off retail How to get this deal: Head to a participating Walmart or Staples location. If you see a $249 price tag, try switching your location — pricing varies by store. Consider stacking with Shop With Points deals on Amazon for additional savings. Note: Amazon and Walmart are expected to match this price soon. Act quickly if you spot it in stock.
20% Off Amazon Purchase (Up to $15) with Citi ThankYou Points
Amazon is running a targeted promotion for Citi ThankYou Points cardholders: use at least 125 ThankYou Points at checkout and receive 20% off eligible products, with a maximum discount of $15. Offer Highlights: 20% off qualifying Amazon products Maximum savings of $15 per transaction Minimum redemption of 125 Citi ThankYou Points required Promotion must be activated before purchase Limited to 23,333 eligible customers or expires December 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM PT, whichever comes first How to Use: Activate the promotion on the promo page before shopping Add eligible items to your cart (aim for $75 to maximize the full $15 discount) At checkout, select Citi ThankYou Points as part of your payment — apply at least 125 points If points aren't auto-selected, choose Change Payment Method and manually apply them This is a targeted offer, so not all Citi cardholders may see it. Since the deal ends once the redemption cap is hit, it's worth checking and activating right away if you're eligible.
Save Up to 50% on Amazon with Amex Membership Rewards Points
Amazon and American Express have a targeted promotion running through December 31, 2026 that lets eligible cardholders save 10% to 50% on Amazon purchases simply by redeeming a small number of Membership Rewards points at checkout. How to Claim the Discount Link an eligible Amex Membership Rewards card to your Amazon account Activate the targeted promotion on your account Add eligible products to your cart Apply Membership Rewards points at checkout The discount will appear on the final order summary page if your items qualify Offer Details Discounts range from 15% to 50% off eligible purchases Maximum discount caps vary from $10 to $100 depending on your targeted offer A minimum redemption of either $5 (714 points) or $10 (1,429 points) worth of points is required Valid through December 31, 2026 Key Terms to Know Only applies to products sold directly by Amazon.com — third-party sellers do not qualify, even if fulfilled by Amazon or Prime-eligible One promotion code per eligible Membership Rewards card Cannot be combined with other offers Does not apply to digital content purchases Shipping charges may still apply Is It Worth It? If your targeted offer delivers a large discount — say $40 or more — redeeming the minimum required points is generally a smart move, even though Membership Rewards points tend to yield more value when transferred to airline or hotel partners. The strategy is simple: use only the minimum points needed to trigger the discount, and pocket the savings on purchases you were already planning to make.