Competitors join in on Amazon Prime Day

Kohl’s, JCPenney, Macy’s offering exclusive discounts

As online retailer Amazon gears up for its Tuesday’s Prime Day — a sales event exclusively for Amazon Prime members — other retailers were choosing up sides in deciding whether to participate with their own discounts, deals and free shipping offers.

Walmart, Target and Lowe’s are among the big names who are so far skipping the event. But JCPenney, Kohl’s and Macy’s are all offering exclusive discounts before and during Prime Day.

Although Walmart offered free shipping for online orders around the same time as Amazon’s Prime Day last year, the chain won’t crash Amazon’s party this year because it has expanded free shipping — implying that a special event is no longer necessary.

“We launched two-day, free shipping with no membership fee, which is available on great deals every day,” said spokeswoman Danit Marquardt. And, she added, customers can take advantage of discounts by ordering online and picking up their merchandise at Walmart stores.

Likewise, Target says it offers deals every day and next week will be no different. It’s focusing on Back to School promotions instead.

“At Target, we’re focused on offering compelling promotions year-round based on our guests’ shopping mindset,” says spokeswoman Shandra Tollefson.

Amazon Prime shoppers in 13 countries have access to 100,000 new deals posted as frequently as every five minutes from 8 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Wednesday — a total of 30 hours — the company says. The event, which started in 2015, is open only to customers who pay $99 per year for an Amazon Prime membership, which provides access to free twoday shipping and other features.

But other retailers are hoping to draw in customers by providing discounts for all shoppers, regardless of membership status. Here’s a few deals offered online in the coming week:

Kohl’s: The company is offering 20% off plus $10 off a $50 home purchase in store and online Sunday. In addition, customers can receive 30% off select styles of summer clothes, swimwear, sandals, accessories, beach towels, outdoor toys and patio furniture on Kohls.com for 30 hours straight starting at 6 p.m. Monday.

JCPenney: The store is running its online-only Penney Palooza sale Monday and Tuesday for the second year in a row, offering up to 60% off on certain clothing brands as well as 50% off backpacks and handbags as well as barbecue and grilling utensils. Additionally, the company promises an additional 30% off to customers that use their JCPenney credit card or an extra 25% off with any other form of payment. Orders over $49 will ship to your home for free.

Macy’s: Shoppers can find deals of up to 60% off site-wide from Monday and Tuesday, as well as many items on sale for 25% to 60% off in the days leading up to the event.

Last year, Newegg, Gap, Best Buy, Toys R Us and Sears all offered sales around the time of Amazon Prime Day, in addition to many of this year’s retailers.