Retail giant Target is apparently attempting to outmaneuver its rivals this holiday season by offering early bird deals to shoppers starting on Oct. 10.

On Wednesday, Target announced that from Oct. 10 through Dec. 24 shoppers will be able to request a price adjustment on all items purchased at their stores if it drops the price later in the season. It will also offer to match select competitors’ pricing within 14 days of a customer’s purchase as it has done in the past.

In a first for the retailer, Target will also be extending its “Deal Days” to both online customers and those who show up to shop at one of its 1,915 stores across the country Oct. 10-12.

"As we approach the holiday season, guests are excited to shop early, and our team is ready to help them prepare so they can celebrate what matters most – time with family and friends," said Christina Hennington, Target’s executive vice president and chief growth officer, in a statement.

Target’s new offers show that it is trying to get ahead of its rivals, like Amazon and Walmart, as well as benefit from the expected jump in consumer spending this holiday season.

Customers are already being encouraged to shop early this year or risk not being able to check every item off their holiday wish list due to disruptions in global supply chains from COVID-19. A Salesforce forecast projects that prices could rise by as much as 20% because of the expected short supply of goods available and the traditionally high demand during the holidays.

Another sign of Target’s seriousness to beat the competition is its plan to hire 100,000 seasonal workers. Usually, the retailer hires closer to 130,000 seasonal workers, but this year it will instead focus on paying more to its existing employees who may be working up to 5 million more hours for the holidays.

RELATED STORIES
Coronavirus