

If you think the holiday shopping season starts with Black Friday, you're already late. For years, brands have focused their efforts and budgets on the November and December frenzy, but the playbook has changed. A growing number of consumers—more planned and price-sensitive—are starting their shopping much earlier. In this new landscape, ignoring October means leaving the door wide open for your competition. The symbol of this new reality has a name: Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, the event that is redefining the start of the sales season for shoppers.
What are the Prime Big Deal Days? The Giant Setting the Pace
The Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour shopping event, exclusive to Amazon Prime members, held in early or mid-October. Far from being a mere repeat of the summer Prime Day, this event has established itself as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday campaign. Its impact is massive; Amazon itself described it as its biggest October shopping event ever, generating a volume of traffic and sales that creates a ripple effect across the entire retail ecosystem.
For brands selling on its marketplace, it's an unmissable opportunity. For those who don't, it's a clear signal that consumer behavior has shifted and the battle to capture their attention and budget has moved up the calendar.
- To stay alert to the price changes happening on Amazon, use a tool that Monitors your competitor's prices on Amazon.
The New Battlefield: Why October is the New November
The early start to the holiday sales season isn't just an Amazon move; it's an industry-wide trend that is solidifying in the United States and threatens to expand globally. Giants like Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy, and Macy’s are already launching aggressive deals in October, presenting them as the first major promotional event of the season. This trend, which mirrors the growing importance of autumn sales in Europe, is a direct response to a shift in consumer behavior, driven by key factors:
- Economic Uncertainty: The economic climate is leading consumers to hunt for deals earlier to spread out their expenses and better manage their budgets, according to Chain Store Age.
- Planning and Less Stress: Shopping in advance helps avoid last-minute rushes, crowds, and, most importantly, the dreaded "out of stock" notice on high-demand products, especially popular Christmas deals.
- The Hunt for the Best Price: Shoppers know that competition among retailers is fierce. By starting early, they have more time to compare prices and ensure they're getting the best possible deal.
Why are the Prime Big Deal Days so important for the holiday season?
This event is crucial because it marks the real start of the peak season. It solidifies October as a key month to capture demand from forward-thinking shoppers who are actively looking for deals to get a head start on their holiday shopping. Ignoring it means missing out on the first major sales push of the quarter.
Smart Strategies to Win the Race in October
Adapting to this new calendar requires more than just activating a few promotions. It demands a strategy built on data and agility. A robust plan is key, and you can dive deeper into strategies for the Peak Season to ensure flawless execution.
Active Surveillance: The Key is Anticipation
The most common mistake is waiting for the event to start before reacting. Proactive monitoring, powered by pricing intelligence, allows you to get ahead.
- Monitor Weeks in Advance: Don't just focus on the 48 hours. Analyze the market beforehand to understand your competitors' strategies.
- Identify Early Signals: Detect which key products they are positioning, how their Amazon Best Seller Rank is evolving, or what subtle price adjustments they are making.
- Prepare a Counter-Offer: Use this data to design a solid, proactive strategy instead of being forced into a costly, improvised reaction.
Omnichannel Reaction: Beyond Amazon
True agility is demonstrated by reacting across all your channels. When the Minderest tool alerts you to a key competitor move, the strategic response is twofold:
- Action 1 (On Amazon): Match or beat your competitor's offer to protect the Amazon Buy Box, maintain your visibility, and avoid losing sales on the marketplace.
- Action 2 (On Your Website): Simultaneously, launch an even more attractive flash sale (a bigger discount, an exclusive product) to drive qualified traffic to your direct channel, where you control the margin and the customer relationship.
Strategic Stock and Price Planning
Data isn't just for reacting; it's for proactive planning. A good pricing tool like Minderest helps you make smarter decisions before the event.
- Select Strategic Products: Analyze your price history and demand elasticity to identify which items in your catalog have enough margin for aggressive promotions.
- Define a Dynamic Pricing Strategy: Create pricing rules that automatically adapt to market conditions, understanding how reference prices work on Amazon to maximize the visual impact of your deals.
- Align Price and Stock: Synchronize your pricing strategy with inventory management to ensure you can meet the demand spike you're about to generate.

Frequently Asked Questions about Prime Big Deal Days
What exactly are the Prime Big Deal Days?
It's a 48-hour exclusive deals event for Amazon Prime members held in October that serves as the launch of the holiday shopping season.
When are the Prime Big Deal Days 2025?
Amazon has officially confirmed the dates. The Prime Big Deal Days will take place on October 7th and 8th, 2025. This sets a clear deadline for brands to have their pricing, stock, and marketing strategies ready.
Do I need to sell on Amazon for this event to affect me?
No. Even if you don't sell on Amazon, the event creates a ripple effect across the entire industry. It raises consumer expectations for deals on all platforms. Your competitors, from major US chains to UK retailers, will react, and if you aren't prepared, you will lose visibility and sales.
Conclusion: The Opportunity is in Anticipation
Success in the holiday season is no longer decided in November. The battlefield has moved to October, and brands that fail to adapt will be left behind. The Prime Big Deal Days are definitive proof that anticipation, data intelligence, and omnichannel agility are the new rules of the game.
Leaving your peak season planning until after the summer is no longer an option. Preparing and implementing the right tools, like those offered by Minderest, is the only way to turn this challenge into a real competitive advantage. Request a demo.
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