Wal-Mart synchronizes online, in-store Black Friday deals

Bentonville, Ark.-based megaretailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) says it is offering most of the same Black Friday deals online and in stores for the first time to help give online shoppers a jump on the sales.

The world’s largest retailer heads into the holiday season with a turnaround plan after battling tough competition and the economy; its U.S. CEO is spearheading a major overhaul of store operations with a focus on such details as making the stores cleaner and more fully stocked.

Most - about 96 percent - of the deals offered during the shopping holiday after Thanksgiving will be sold both online - starting at 3:01 a.m. E.T. on Thanksgiving morning - and in stores - beginning at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. That compares to 90 percent last year.

The company also is offering all the deals at one time, rather than spreading them out for limited times across the shopping day.

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