Weekly ad timing
What day do weekly ads change at major retailers?
Most national weekly ads refresh around Sunday, but grocery stores and regional chains can use different cycles. Here is the simple planning version for the stores Price Scout tracks.
Updated May 2026. Always check your local store ad before shopping.
Quick answer
| Retailer | Change day | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
Target | Sunday | Target says its weekly ad is updated every Sunday between midnight and 2 a.m. Central time. Ads vary by selected store. |
Walgreens | Sunday | Walgreens says regularly scheduled weekly promotions go live each Sunday, with a sneak peek available Thursday at noon before the live date. |
CVS | Usually Sunday | CVS publishes its current weekly ad online and in the CVS app. Check the offer dates in your local ad because ExtraCare and app deals can have their own timing. |
Dollar General | Usually Sunday | Dollar General keeps current weekly ads on its deals page. Sale windows can vary by event, so check your local ad before planning a stock-up trip. |
Publix | Wednesday or Thursday | Publix has two weekly ad cycles. Some stores run Wednesday through Tuesday, while others run Thursday through Wednesday. |
Walmart | Varies by deal type | Walmart is less dependent on a classic weekly circular than many stores. Use its current grocery and deal pages, then verify the price for your selected store. |
Best days to check prices
For Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Dollar General, Sunday morning is usually the best time to check the new weekly ad. That is when the new round of advertised deals is most likely to be visible.
For Publix, the better check-in day depends on your store. Some Publix locations start a Wednesday-through-Tuesday ad, and others start a Thursday-through-Wednesday ad. If you are planning around BOGO deals, set your preferred Publix store first.
Walmart is different. It often relies more on current online prices, rollbacks, seasonal events, and grocery price changes than a single predictable weekly circular. For Walmart, check the product price close to the time you plan to buy.
Why the same item can still show different prices
Weekly ads are only one part of the price. Final prices can change based on store location, pickup, delivery, shipping, membership, app coupons, clipped digital coupons, stock status, and substitutions.
That is why Price Scout focuses on source-backed price checks. Use the weekly ad day to know when deals are likely to refresh, then compare live retailer pages before you make the trip.