Best Buy to start holiday savings events in October with 2-day flash sale, partnerships with Microsoft and Samsung

Best Buy Co. Inc.
BBY,
-1.16%
said Tuesday it’s planning to start its annual holiday savings events in October this year, leading up to Black Friday in November. The electronics retailer said loyalty program members will be entitled to thousands of deals and discounts staring in October and will receive a $50 reward certificate for every $500 they spend. Members will also be granted early access to Black Friday deals from Oct. 27 to 29. The company is teaming up with Samsung
005930,
-0.57%
and Microsoft
MSFT,
-0.35%
for special sales events with shoppers who spend $1,00 on Samsung products, including home theater and appliances, entitled to a $100 reward certificate. For the Microsoft event, shoppers can save up to $500 on Windows laptops. The company is also planning a 48-hour flash sales from Oct. 10 to 11 with deals on TVs and laptops, headphones and smartwatches, among other items. For gamers, the company will hold a three-day sale from Oct. 20 to 22. The stock is down 12% in the year to date, while the S&P 500
SPX,
+0.07%
has gained 16%.