Walmart Black Friday deals: US retailer targets Apple's iPhone and Beats amid wave of protests

Of all US retailers, Walmart has one of the most uncomfortable relationships with Black Friday.

Even as it attempts to cash in on the millions of Americans spending billions of dollars on the shopping phenomenon, the US supermarket giant will also be hit by expected protests at hundreds of its stores from demonstrators wanting to raise awareness at what they say is the firm's low pay.

Walmart says that it is trying to offer low-cost groceries to the masses. Food donation bins that have been placed in some of its stores for hard-up employees is, according to the retailer, evidence that they are concerned about their staff.

But campaign groups counter that the bins themselves are evidence of the company's low wages. Earlier this week, a food donation bin was left chained outside the Manhattan apartment of heiress Alice Walton, seemingly by disgruntled workers. And the protests on Black Friday itself are likely to be co-ordinated and high-profile.

So who will win the PR battle this year?

The company is betting on smartphones and other tech products.

From 6am on Black Friday through Sunday night, consumers can buy the iPhone 5S 16GB for $79 and get a $75 Walmart gift card, or the iPhone 6 16GB for $179 and a $75 gift card.

Many of Walmart’s deals are part of its “1-Hour Guarantee” promotion where customers need to be in designated areas of a Walmart store between 6pm and 7pm on Black Friday to get the deals.

Included in this promotion will be the Xbox One Halo “The Master Chief Collection” Bundle for $329 with a $30 Walmart gift card, and the Apple iPad Mini 16GB with wi-fi for $199 with a $30 gift card.

Also in the 6-7pm promotion will be Beats by Dr. Dre wireless headphones for $149, the Samsung Galaxy Ace Style on Straight Talk wireless for $29, the RCA 7” Google Play wi-fi tablet for $29, the Vizio 65” Class Smart LED high definition TV for $648, and the HP Intel Celeron Touch laptop for $249.

The company will offer deals including 45 per cent off some Samsung TVs - including the Samsung 40-inch Smart 1080p LED TV for $328 and the Samsung 55-inch Curved Smart 4K Ultra HD LED TV for $1,298.