Target Walmart Price Matching Through December 24: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Target and Walmart price matching through December 24 allows shoppers to match competitor prices at checkout, potentially saving hundreds during the holiday season if you understand the policies and eligibility rules.

With just nine days left until December 24, 2025, shoppers are racing to secure the best holiday deals. Two of the largest retailers in the United States—Target and Walmart—both offer price matching policies that can unlock significant savings. However, these policies differ in important ways, and understanding how to navigate them correctly separates savvy shoppers from those who miss out on discounts. This guide walks through the complete process, from eligibility requirements to checkout strategy, so you can maximize your savings before the year closes.

Understanding Target and Walmart price matching policies

Price matching is a commitment by retailers to honor lower advertised prices from competitors. Both Target and Walmart maintain these policies to remain competitive during high-demand shopping seasons like December. However, the scope, conditions, and implementation of each policy vary significantly.

Target’s price match policy allows customers to request a price reduction when they find the same item available at a lower price from a competing retailer. Target typically matches prices from major national competitors, though some regional exceptions may apply. The retailer accepts price matches on items found in print ads, competitor websites, and certain store advertisements. Target’s approach is generally customer-friendly, though they reserve the right to verify competitor pricing.

Walmart’s price match guarantee operates with stricter parameters. Walmart matches advertised prices from local competitors, including print circulars and online prices. Importantly, Walmart does not price match Amazon or other pure-play online retailers in many situations, though online prices at major retailers like Best Buy or Target may qualify. Walmart employees verify competitor pricing at the time of purchase, which means you may need to provide proof or allow staff to check pricing independently.

The critical takeaway: both policies exist to protect consumer interests and drive traffic, but the operational mechanics and qualifying retailers differ. Knowing these distinctions before you shop prevents frustration and wasted time at checkout.

How price matching works at Target and Walmart

The mechanics of price matching at each retailer follow a logical but distinct process. Understanding the workflow helps you prepare documentation and manage checkout time effectively.

Target’s price match process

• Identify an item you wish to purchase at Target and locate the same product (same brand, model, and specifications) at a lower price from a competitor.
• Show the competitor’s price to a Target cashier or guest services team member at checkout or during your shopping visit.
• Present proof of the lower price—typically a printed ad, a screenshot of a competitor website, or a store circular.
• Target will adjust the price to match the competitor’s advertised price, and you complete your transaction at the lower rate.

Target’s process is generally straightforward because the company trusts customers to bring proof and does not typically require in-store verification beyond reviewing the evidence you provide. This streamlined approach means faster checkout times.

Walmart’s price match process

• Locate a product available at a lower advertised price from a local competing retailer.
• Proceed to Walmart checkout with your items and your proof of competitor pricing.
• Inform the cashier that you want to price match the item. The cashier or a manager will verify the competitor’s price, often using a store computer or by contacting the competitor directly.
• Once verified, Walmart adjusts your price to match, and the transaction completes.

Walmart’s verification step takes additional time but ensures accuracy and prevents fraudulent price matches. During busy holiday shopping periods in December, this verification process can extend your checkout time by 5–10 minutes per item matched.

Step-by-step process for using price matching through December 24

With the December 24 deadline approaching, timing and preparation are critical. Follow this step-by-step approach to maximize results before the cutoff.

Before you shop

• Check both Target and Walmart websites, as well as major competitors like Best Buy, Costco, and Amazon, for advertised prices on items on your list.
• Create a digital spreadsheet or note on your phone listing items, their regular prices at Target or Walmart, competitor prices, and the source of the competitor pricing (URL, store circular, advertisement date).
• Screenshot or save digital copies of competitor pricing pages. If using print ads, bring them with you to the store or photograph them clearly.
• Verify that the item matches exactly—same model number, color, and specifications—to ensure the price match qualifies.

At the store

• Shop normally and place items in your cart. Complete your shopping without mentioning price matching until checkout.
• At the register, inform the cashier which items you wish to price match. Have your proof of competitor pricing ready—either printed, screenshotted, or photographed.
• For Target, present your proof to the cashier. For Walmart, be prepared to answer questions about where you found the price and allow verification if the cashier requests it.
• The cashier will adjust prices item by item. Verify each adjustment before completing payment.

Timing considerations for the December 24 deadline

Both Target and Walmart operate extended holiday hours, with many locations open until midnight on December 24. However, attempting price matches during peak shopping hours—typically 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the days immediately before Christmas—may result in long wait times. Early morning or evening shopping, particularly December 22–23, often provides faster service. Additionally, calling your local store in advance to confirm price match policies are active on December 24 itself prevents wasted trips.

Items eligible for price matching at Target and Walmart

Not every product qualifies for price matching. Understanding eligibility prevents disappointment and wasted effort.

Generally eligible items

• Electronics: televisions, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and audio equipment from major brands.
• Appliances: kitchen and home appliances sold at multiple retailers.
• Clothing and footwear: brand-name items available at other retailers.
• Toys and games: popular holiday gifts sold at competing retailers.
• Home goods: furniture, bedding, and décor items available elsewhere.

Items typically excluded from price matching

• Clearance or final-sale items marked as such by either retailer.
• Items exclusive to a single retailer or under a private label (Target’s store brands or Walmart’s Great Value line, for example).
• Items sold at a loss-leader price by another retailer specifically for a limited promotion.
• Bulk purchases or warehouse club items (Costco, Sam’s Club) on both Target and Walmart policies.

Electronics and appliances generate the largest savings through price matching, often delivering discounts of 5–20% when competitors are running aggressive December promotions. However, always verify the exact model and specifications match before attempting to match prices.

Common mistakes that void price matches

Even informed shoppers make errors that disqualify price matches. Awareness of these pitfalls prevents frustration during checkout.

Mismatched product specifications: Retailers enforce strict matching on model numbers, colors, and bundle contents. An item sold in a bundle at a competitor may not price match against the same product sold individually, or vice versa. Always compare the complete product details, not just the brand and general category.

Outdated or expired competitor pricing: Both retailers require that competitor prices be current and advertised at the time of your transaction. Prices from advertisements more than 5–7 days old may be rejected, particularly if the competitor has since raised prices. For December 24, ensure pricing is no older than December 15 to guarantee validity.

Competitor price unverifiable: If the retailer cannot confirm the competitor’s advertised price through their own systems, they may deny the match. Online-only retailers and smaller regional stores present verification challenges. Bring screenshots or printed proof to speed verification and increase approval odds.

Attempting to match sale prices already applied: Target and Walmart will not stack price matches on top of sales they are already running. If an item is already on sale at your primary retailer and you attempt to match it to a competitor’s lower sale price, the retailer may only adjust to the competitor’s price, not add an additional discount.

Timing and strategic shopping for maximum savings before December 24

Timing your shopping around price movements and competitor promotions multiplies your savings. December 20–24 is the final window for price matching before the year closes, and strategic decisions during these days matter significantly.

Many retailers, including Target and Walmart, release final holiday promotions December 18–20, hoping to capture last-minute shoppers. Competitors often match or undercut these prices on specific categories. Electronics, toys, and popular gift items see the most aggressive discounting during this window. Monitoring competitor websites and store apps December 18–24 identifies emerging deals you can price match immediately.

Early-morning shopping December 23–24 often yields advantages. Shelves are stocked overnight, price changes have been implemented, and competitor data is fresh. Additionally, morning shoppers encounter fewer lines, meaning cashiers can process price matches without overwhelming delays. Waiting until December 24 evening increases the risk that competitors have sold out of key items, preventing verification of prices.

Using retailer apps and wish lists accelerates the process. Both Target and Walmart allow customers to build shopping lists within their apps. Pre-loading your list with price-match candidates and storing proof (screenshots, links) within the app reduces in-store friction and checkout time.

Frequently asked questions about price matching through December 24

The bottom line

Target and Walmart price matching through December 24 represents a legitimate savings opportunity for organized, informed shoppers. With only nine days remaining, success depends on preparation, understanding each retailer’s specific policies, and timing your shopping strategically. Target’s faster, more flexible process suits customers with multiple price matches, while Walmart’s stricter verification appeals to those comfortable with slightly longer checkout times. The key differentiator is preparation—screenshot competitor prices, verify product specifications, and plan your shopping during off-peak hours to maximize savings and minimize frustration before the holiday deadline closes.