Review: Target

I've already given my impressions on Walmart and Kmart, so I guess it's time to discuss America's retail darling, Target.

Growing up, we shopped in Target all the time. There wasn't a Walmart around when I was younger and Kmart was just coming on the scene. But Target was established, close to our home and my mom loved shopping there. So we spent a lot of time in Target through the years.

As I got older, I went through my "limited mass merchandiser" shopping phase, though I still did go back to Target to get most of my Christmas presents. Then once I got married, my wife never shopped at Target (much), so I didn't either. But we moved and we had a Target nearby, so we stopped by every now and then. And to make it even more convenient, they built a new Target a few blocks from our house. So we're now there fairly often, though I wouldn't say we do a lot of shopping there.

Pros

The biggest pro to me is that Target stores are nice. They look great, have plenty of space, are well-maintained, and are located in convenient, good shopping areas.

Our Target isn't a Super Target, but it does sell some food. And their regular prices on cereal are VERY good. Quite often, my wife will stop by Target just for cereal.

I don't really notice much difference in staff at Target and other places other than the workers there don't seem like they're inconvenienced by your presence (I often get this vibe from Kmart and Walmart when I'm there.)

Cons

Their merchandise is "ok", but it's in that middle ground between "cheap" and "very nice" quality-wise though the prices are good. But in many cases the products are simply too trendy for me. I know, I'm showing my age.

I also always assumed that their prices were higher. Why? I guess because nicer stores = higher prices in my mind. But they aren't (at least that much), but at least I'm not alone in my perceptions:

In February, Citigroup managing director and analyst Deborah Weinswig polled shoppers and found that though Target consistently underprices supermarkets on groceries by about 10% to 15%, shoppers perceived the opposite: that Target's prices were a full 20% higher. Moreover, though prices at Target average out to within 1% to 3% of those of Wal-Mart, 87% of respondents said they shopped at Wal-Mart because it was the cheapest. "The problem could be that some of these stores are so clean that you just assume you're paying more," says Weinswig.

So while I'm listing price as a con, it's really price perception that's the con, not actual prices. Then again, as every marketer knows, perception is reality.

There's one other beef I have with Target -- they banned the Salvation Army from having bellringers at their stores a few years ago. Yeah, they've since tried to "help" in "other ways" (like if you buy something they give a partial donation), but it's just not the same. I'm not a big supporter of the Salvation Army, but I do appreciate what they do and always give them some money at the holidays. In addition, I think having them outside of stores adds to the spirit of the season. But Target's ban was basically saying "bah humbug" to the Salvation Army and it's left a bad taste in my mouth. As a result, they aren't on my "A" list of places to shop.

Overall rating: C

I know this review will be very unpopular with many readers as Target seems to be America's most-loved retailer, especially among the "I hate Walmart" crowd. That's ok with me -- everyone is entitled to their opinion. And if Target hadn't axed the Salvation Army, they would have received a much better grade from me. But if a store can't have a bit of grace for an old charity/tradition, then they certainly aren't worthy of receiving many of my hard-earned dollars.

Comments

[Ggrrl]

It seems like your negative opinion of Target is largely based upon their attitude towards the Salvation Army. While I don't agree with their move, having run a gauntlet of charities outside Walmart recently, I don't think that the theory behind Target's action is all that bad. That being said, the one place where I find huge savings at Target is in their grocery department. I go there for frozen dinners and the like, which are often 30% below the supermarket prices.

[Ryan]

One thing about Target: I've never been in a store that has storewide music. With the exception of the electronics department's displays, the store is DEAD quiet. Drives me nuts!

[Brian]

I agree that not liking Target based on the Salvation Army thing is pretty short-sighted. From Wikipedia:
Target Corporation is consistently ranked as one of the most philanthropic companies in the country. It ranked #11 in Fortune Magazine's "Top 20 Most Admired Companies" for 2007, largely in part to the donation efforts of the company as a whole.[59] According to a November 2005 Forbes article, it ranked as the highest cash-giving company in America in percentage of income given (2.1%).[60] Target donates around 5 percent of its pre-tax operating profit; it gives over $3 million a week (up from $2 million in years prior) to the communities in which it operates.
(For the record, Walmart is 9th on that list, giving 1% of their income, which of course is a larger dollar number even though it's a smaller percentage.)
They made a decision to stop making exceptions to their "no soliciting" policy, and, after running the gauntlet of Girl Scouts every grocery trip for the past two months, I can't say that I blame them.
Judge on the whole, not on one incident. That said, I don't know that I'd rate them much higher than a 'C' either. There's not a store particularly close to me, so I don't shop there often, and the last time I did, I was disappointed in their furniture (no solid wood, all "wood veneer" which I'm not looking for there).

[Elise]

If Target doesn't let anyone stand outside their doors and ask for donations - I'm all for it! I give to charity but don't appreciate being asked every time I go to the store. I know charities have a hard time and if they don't ask they don't get. I wish people would give more without being asked so they could all go home.

[Da Man]

I believe the decision to get rid of the Salvation Army was bigger than removing the hassle walking in/out of the store. It had more to do with not discriminating against certain groups to solicit outside their stores. This gives them the ability to remove protestors, unwanted solicitors and the like. So, while it appeared to be a grinch-like move, it was more for equal opportunity...or equal unopportunity!

As a former TGT employee, they are very generous and have gone above and beyond to help compensate the Salvation Army (especially compared to what Wal-Mart would have done)!

[FMF]

Da Man --

Everyone else seems to be able to deal with the "ability to remove protestors, unwanted solicitors and the like" while still allowing for the SA. Why not Target?

[Yang Wei]

When I was a child, I watched the Bob Hope Christmas specials of his USO tours.

I asked my father, a veteran, if he ever went to a USO show. He said that those shows were for the folks in the rear echelon, not the front line where he was. Who came to the front line, I asked.

"The Salvation Army."

I donate to the Salvation Army and I shop at Target.

Target is fine for certain products. I certainly don't expect to find solid wood furniture there, or top of the line clothing.

The stores I've been in are clean and they seem to have a good process for staffing their checkouts. I rarely have to wait long.

They have good prices on cereal and crackers and some other staples.

The employees are generally helpful, not fabulous, but my expectations for these type of stores are pretty low (Of all the big box stores, I find Costco has the most helpful employees.)

The cons I can think of are that the customer service department is not quite as efficient as it could be and it's not easy to find an employee on the floor (at the cash registers it's much different.)

Grade B

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised no one has commented on the return policy yet! I am an avid shopper. My husband calls Target my "mother ship" b/c I go there so often. HOWEVER, their return policies are very annoying. And not once, but twice now, I have heard another shopper say outloud that they won't shop there anymore because of the poor return policies. Once was a woman complaining at the checkout to the cashier that she won't ever be back. The other was just last week -- a mom was explaining to her son why they couldn't buy anything there other than a gift on a registry. She told him it's because she disagrees with their return policy. Interesting. I know my assistant won't shop there for the same reason -- and she had her wedding registry there! (If anyone is unfamiliar with the return policies, I can repost.)

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised no one has commented on the return policy yet! I am an avid shopper. My husband calls Target my "mother ship" b/c I go there so often. HOWEVER, their return policies are very annoying. And not once, but twice now, I have heard another shopper say outloud that they won't shop there anymore because of the poor return policies. Once was a woman complaining at the checkout to the cashier that she won't ever be back. The other was just last week -- a mom was explaining to her son why they couldn't buy anything there other than a gift on a registry. She told him it's because she disagrees with their return policy. Interesting. I know my assistant won't shop there for the same reason -- and she had her wedding registry there! (If anyone is unfamiliar with the return policies, I can repost.)

[zOrville]

I started shopping MORE at Target when they banned the SA from in front of their doors. I do not like being bombarded by people asking for money when I shop anymore than I like telemarketers asking for my money. I give to whom I like when I like, and mostly through my church (which includes our local SA food bank BTW). Our local Wally World seems to have a new group out front every Saturday from the time of first thaw until the winter winds start whipping up late in the year.

[Jennifer/GA]

I do find pretty good prices on the things I buy at Target. I also agree it can be a little "trendy" for my taste, so I guess I'm showing my age as well. The main reason I shopped at Target in the beginning was it was close to where I worked and easier to get in and out of. Now, I find it is still easier to get in and out of than Wal-Mart, but their prices are also good on prescriptions, even without my insurance card. I was in my local Target twice this week, and both times was looking for a certain aisle, and was asked if I could be helped by an employee. I think that was one of the few times I have been asked in that store. It was a nice change. In my opinion, Target does seem to hire more mature and professional employees than Wal-Mart does, and they stores are a lot cleaner than Wal-Mart. My grade would be a B-.

[Jim]

I'm a little confused regarding the point on price: "So while I'm listing price as a con, it's really price perception that's the con, not actual prices."

Shouldn't the grade be based on the known actual prices and not just a perception?

Jim

[FMF]

Jim --

Did you see that I said: "perception is reality"?

[cybergal]

I LOVE not having all of those stupid annoying school groups begging for money at the door. The return policy is crappy though ... not a problem if you keep the receipt though.

[Jo]

Okay, I'm a big Target consumer!!! And I know all my local stores layout by heart (or almost by heart...although there isn't too much difference).
I do find Target's prices to be affordable, thier clothes trendier and better quality than their competitors, store is clean, and customer service pretty good.

I'm intriqued by the comments about return policy because I have never had any problem returning or exchanging anything at a Target. I even exchanged and returned a poster frame twice within a couple of days...once because a clip was missing (exchanged) and then I returned it becuase it turned out that it didn't work with what I wanted, it was no problem and each interaction took only a few minutes. I have gotten the same frames at different stores (I needed multiple frames in multiple sizes and they were on sale/clearance) and then were able to return the ones I didn't want to one store with two different receipts.

I shop there all the time, and almost everyone I know who has worked there has good things to say.

I think they are very good!!!!

Target's quality far exceeds Wal Mart at the same prices. However, a friend of mine was asking various companies for donations of items for a charity auction at a local school. Target's response was that they will only donate to causes that support gay/lesbian agendas and to no other causes. Being opposed to this, I have stopped shopping there on a regular basis, although I admit I still go there occasionally.

[Jim]

FMF: >>Did you see that I said: "perception is reality"?<<

Sorry but that doesn't really explain it.

Are you saying you just don't agree with the data about Target prices?

If Target prices are actually lower then they shouldn't get a bad score on prices cause some people perceive wrongly.

I know this is just your opinion here and you're being totally upfront here so its no worry. I'm just a bit confused on your rationale.

Jim

[Ryan S.]

One thing the prices are very high on is clothing. It rivals the regular prices of the mall department stores.

[FMF]

Jim --

My perception is that they are higher priced on stuff I buy/shop there for.

I'm not really concerned with their overall prices and how these are "close" to others. What makes the difference to me is whether or not they are higher on items I would likely buy there. There is no data on "stuff I'd buy versus stuff I wouldn't buy", and my perception is that they are higher priced on these items on average.

[Zook]

FMF-

If Target is a 'C', what is your 'A+'?

Just curious, for reference...

[FMF]

Zook --

Not sure. I'm working through my "feelings" on various stores as I write this series. Knowing myself, there's probably not an A+ out there, but there may be an A. Stay tuned.

[Zook]

Sounds good!

[Jo]

I'm finding it interesting how people's experiences vary so much. Makes me think that some of this depends on you particular store. For instance, the comment about Target only donating to groups that support gay/lesbian agendas, is totally not my experience. The Target in the town I just left gave every year to our youth group at church to buy supplies for Easter baskets that were being delivered to senior citizens, and separately to buy doorprizes for youth nights.

My only beef with their donation policies was that it was dependant on each individual store (unless I can only assume it was a huge foundation or something) so the donations were sometimes small depending on how many requests they got in that particular month, and the donation came as a gift card. Therefore you had to use it to buy supplies at their store instead of using it elsewhere or giving it directly to a cause like a cancer benefit.

[Jim]

FMF - re: perception vs reality.

OK well now that makes sense. THanks for clarifying.

Jim

[Zak]

Most people don't realize it, but the Salvation Army is a religious organization.

"The mission of The Salvation Army is to bring the whole world under the authority and rule of Jesus Christ."

Read more at Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation_Army

[AdamCO]

re: Salvation Army

I didn't realize it was a religious organization. I can't donate to a group with a mission statement like that.

[Target'snotaC]

BIG THANKS to Brian for presenting a "fair and balanced" view of Targets philanthropic endeavors. If you miss the holiday atmosphere that the Salvation Army bell ringers provide then absolutely blame Target and shop elsewhere. If the atmosphere isn't your beef then thank Target for basically making the donation to a charity for you and putting some extra change in you pocket.
As to FMF's question,
Everyone else seems to be able to deal with the "ability to remove protestors, unwanted solicitors and the like" while still allowing for the SA. Why not Target?
So because other stores our hypocritical on their store policies Target must be as well? Realistically there are 1000 other things I'm sure Target is being hypocritical about but good for them for not having 1001 things.

[Denise]

I worked at Target for 13.5 years up until December '07. I am probably the biggest hater of Wal-mart ever. I still shop at Target and defend them to anyone who bad-mouths them. If you don't want to have a problem returning an item, keep your receipt. I was a manager in charge of donations, and the gay-lesbian statement is not true. Each store is given a donation budget for the year, above and beyond the grants they do every year. We have donated to everything from Vets, to Girl Scouts, and Church groups and School functions.
Ww don't donate to individual groups who do not have a tax exempt #, to eliminate the possibility of fraudulent charities.

[Denise]

I worked at Target for 13.5 years up until December '07. I am probably the biggest hater of Wal-mart ever. I still shop at Target and defend them to anyone who bad-mouths them. If you don't want to have a problem returning an item, keep your receipt. I was a manager in charge of donations, and the gay-lesbian statement is not true. Each store is given a donation budget for the year, above and beyond the grants they do every year. We have donated to everything from Vets, to Girl Scouts, and Church groups and School functions.
Ww don't donate to individual groups who do not have a tax exempt #, to eliminate the possibility of fraudulent charities.

[Becky@FamilyandFinances]

I guess I'll be one of few (if any) to agree with FMF about not being happy with Target's treatment of the Salvation Army. I always give to the SA on their website instead of in the kettles, but I still think it's great that the kettles are out there. It's a tradition!

[Lord]

Their food prices may be less than an expensive supermarket but don't compare to sale prices. Some things are reasonable but I wouldn't really call them low.

I assume "support gay/lesbian agendas" means they don't support discrimination.

I would call it discrimination if they make a policy to support only one special interest group and no other, regardless of what that group is. I don't know if this is a Target wide policy (apparently not because of what Denise said), a local store policy, or just some employee on the phone who wanted to make a joke. But in any case, I was a little put off by it.

[sahm]

I love Target, but I am very hesitant to purchase gifts there because of the return policy. I have had more trouble returning things. I registered there for my wedding. When I went to return a set of broken glasses (that was on my registry), the pattern had been discontinued, so they only gave me about $2 for the set. That certainly didn't give me enough to buy another set (even in a different pattern). When I had my first child, I refused to register at Target and asked people to not purchase me gifts there because of the return policy. A friend was offered $5 for a bouncy seat that was on her registry, still carried in the store for $30. They wouldn't give her any more because she got it as a gift and didn't have the receipt.

I like to SHOP at Target, but I am very cautious as to what I purchase. I typically do not purchase gifts because of the return policy. I don't want to put my friends through craziness (even with a gift receipt) trying to return something.

Overall, I would give them a "C" just for the return policy!

[Simon]

I like the banning Salvation Army group. Behind the charity they're a bizarre and sexist religious group (just ask any female church member who isn't allowed to be a higher rank than her husband).

[Ryan S.]

A simple search on Target's and Walmart's websites shows that clearly Target's prices are higher. Search for any product that both stores carry, and Target is consistenly higher. A couple of quick searches I just performed:

Timex Men's Expedition Digital Compass Watch:
Walmart $37.99
Target $42.99

Sony Bravia 32" TV, same model:

Walmart: $767
Target: $797

Photo printes 4x6:
Walmart 9 cents each
Target 15 cents each

Try some comparisons yourself, although it is difficult to find exact products that both stores carry. Personally, I've noticed the clothes at Target are higher than even Sears, JCPenney.

[Dave]

Target's return policy is the worst I've ever experienced. My wife and I had a baby recently and registered for our baby shower at a Babies R Us that was a 1 hour drive away, just so we wouldn't have to deal with their return policy.

We did end up getting a few things from Target that we needed to return. Check this story out -- the guy ahead of us in line received 4 pair of khaki pants that were the wrong size. Target allowed him to exchange 2 for the right size, but refused to exchange the other 2 pair! "Only 2 no-receipt returns per year per customer. Sorry!"

That's a sure fire way to infuriate a customer! Make that ex-customer!

[Master Allan]

Never had a problem with the return policy because of responsibility. _Keep_Your_Receipt_ or if it is a gift for someone hand over a gift receipt. No problems at the service desk. Besides, with the new policy Target is probably saving more money from fraud and rip-off then you would have spent there anyway.

Hooray about having a no solicitors policy at the door. It's annoying seeing the salvation army at every major retailer entrance during December. I'd thrilled to make a donation online.

Gggrl on post 2 mentioned the quietness of the store. That's a difference I really enjoy at Target. No cheap radio station or self promoting advertising being blared across the store. You can't please everyone with your music selections so why try? Bring your Ipod with you next time if you want music & noise.

[artdogs]

Never had a problem returning anything at Target.

As for solicitors outside the door - it may not be Salvation Army - but at the Target near where I used to live (Culver City, CA on Jefferson) - there were ALWAYS green party operatives and weird leftist political groups soliciting - I'd have traded a bell-ringing Santa for those nutjobs ANY month of the year!!! I like Target -- but couldn't the have removed those pain in the butts???

On the other hand, I just moved to Santa Fe, NM, and haven't seen solicitors outside either Target or Wal-Mart here.