NEW YORK – Walmart highlighted its holiday merchandising plans for a variety of product categories including electronics in a media event here in mid-June, showcasing portable technologies, TVs, games and improved in-store presentations.
For instance, in large-screen TVs, the emphasis is going to be on such models as a 65-inch Vizio smart TV that was shown at the event, as well as 50-inch and larger TVs from Samsung, LG and others.
While pricing wasn’t revealed – after all, it is way too early – the retailer said the mix will include a Samsung 60-inch smart LED TV and a Vizio 50-inch Ultra HD TV
Jessie Smith, sales and merchandising manager for Walmart.com, who discussed sales trends for stores and online, said, “This year we have seen double-digit 50-inch and larger TV sales growth.”
In stores, Walmart is trying to “provide a residential-style display by putting our big TVs on stands” — vs. on a wall with brackets — “and a shelf underneath to give consumers a look and feel of how they will look in their homes.”
Smith added that Walmart will have Ultra HD in selected locations nationwide and online.
Walmart expects PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles to continue to drive sales on such products as the Gaming Chair Video Rocker with Bluetooth for $79 and other gaming accessories, Smith said.In addition, the Walmart merchant noted, “wearables will be part of [the holiday mix] as we adapt to the latest trends.”
Walmart showed the iON Air Pro Lite Wi-Fi action camera with 1080p FullHD, among other features, for $179, and the HD Dash Cam with a 4GB SD card and handlebar mount for $39.97.
Smith volunteered that with “the trend toward more than one tablet per household, kids want their own tablet,” which is why the DreamTab will be featured during the holidays at $269.
For the rest of us, there is the T-Mobile Trio 4G 7.85-inch tablet at $179, with a special free deal of 200MB of storage for six months.
Walmart will also carry Straight Talk’s Car Connection Teen Tracker, which blocks drivers from texting, tracks the vehicle’s location and driving behaviors, and is priced at $139. Straight Talk’s Bring Your Own Phone Activation Kit for prepaid cellular service will also be offered, priced at $59.88.
Apple’s newest acquisition will also be on display at Walmart this holiday season: Beats By Dr. Dre Drenched Solos headphones. Smith noted they will have special displays and be priced at $169 in 1,000 locations nationwide.
