2009.03.08
New focus for Target
"Affordable" seems to be the new buzz word in retail lately. So many retailers, from big box stores to local boutiques, want us to believe that their products are the smart buy during tough economic times. This is a direct appeal to penny pinching consumers who are spending cautiously nowadays.
I've read some news stories lately about Target's efforts to attract cost-conscious shoppers. Target isn't necessarily known for its low prices, but the chain is trying to narrow the gap between itself and Wal-Mart as these discounters compete head to head.
An advertising insert that I received recently for Target underscores this new focus.
"Remarkable quality, surprisingly low prices" states the ad, in a section showing off bedding supplies and kitchen appliances.
The words "Oh so affordable" advertise $6 women's t-shirts and $8 canvas flip flops.
An assortment of cleaning supplies, from laundry detergent to paper towels and dish soap, are "affordable, clean fun."
So, here's my question for you. Do these kinds of advertising buzz words draw you in? Particularly lately, when you see "affordable" or "exceptional savings," are you more likely to give that item a look and ultimately buy it?
I prefer shopping at Target because they tend to have much better quality goods than Wal-Mart has, their stores are not near as crowded, their cashiers tend to be friendlier and much more efficient. It'll be nice if some prices are lowered. The only complaint I have about the Roanoke Target (and Best Buy too) are that it is at that hard to get to area of Valley View.
Comment by Laura — March 9, 2009 @ 7:57 am
In a word "NO".
What value does one put on their time? The length of time it takes to dig through these mega-stores, only to find they don't carry the item(s) you're needing is an incredible waste, in my opinion.
Or as in the case of a friend of mine who after due deliberation selected a toy for a gift, got through the register line, and was told "I can't sell you this item" it's been recalled by the manufacturer.
Is the recall important, you bet. But, it has no business being on the shelf! Yet this is 'official policy' according to the cashier.
Buzz words??? Not worth it...
Comment by Steve — March 9, 2009 @ 10:51 am
I generally ignore all of the buzzwords and advertising. In some cases, it can be a turn-off. Too much hype makes me tend to believe the item is junk.
With the availability of information on the internet now, I tend to do my research on a product before I buy it. For smaller/less expensive items (picture frames, mops, etc.) I'll comparison shop, but I don't believe something is an "exceptional value" just because the retailer printed it. Value is in the eye of the beholder, and I'll be the judge.
Kinda like the generic products that claim they're just as good as the name brand because they have the "same stuff". "Compare to ingredients in XXX". Yeah, well, diamond and graphite have the same stuff in them, but there is a little difference between the two...
Comment by Ed S. — March 9, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
I am always amazed at the people who buy things because the store makes it out to be such a good deal.Circuit City is a good example- a lot of their "50% off!" stuff cost more than regular prices elsewhere. You see ads for soft drinks for example- 3 12pks for $12- as if that is a special deal. People should be aware of what good prices are and buy accordingly.
In my book Walmart wins everytime when it comes to everyday items, groceries, household goods, etc. Sure Target has some nicer "designer" items, but I am not buying everyday items there just because they claim to be lower. And if they do sometimes have a deal- Walmart price matches.
I wish they would hurry up and open a super Walmart in SW county.
Comment by RMac — March 9, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
No, I think I'm immune to it now. EVERYONE says their products are affordable or a "good deal."
Speaking of big stores - my mom said she went to the Kroger in Vinton and that they are making it into a Super Kroger and that it was absolutely huge. Have you all heard anything about that?
Comment by Michelle — March 9, 2009 @ 3:19 pm
I don't bother with buzzwords or ads much. I tend to be fairly specific with my shopping, and I do the comparisons on price, quantity, unit pricing, and the like without having the advertising getting in the way. I'll buy things at certain stores if i know their unit pricing to be better than others, and I'll go to certain stores because they sell certain brands of products I buy. I vary my shopping to the stores in the NRV based on what I need, because I don't do all my shopping in one place. For example, I get cat food and litter most of the time at Wal-Mart, but from time to time I can get them at Food Lion or Kroger for less when they are on sale. I keep mental track of that so I can spot the deal when it's there. One thing that has really irked me is that I have seen a lot of these buzzwords on products, but they have dropped their quantities to maintain lower prices than competitors. One great example of this is with Coke vs. Pepsi. Coke went from strictly 20 oz bottles to having 16 and 24 oz bottles now. Pepsi has stuck with the 20 oz size, and now their adds all say "20% More" and in fine print it says "compared to 16 oz Coke products". They didn't change anything, but got to devise a promotion to make it seem like you get more for your money, when in reality the price and sizes are still the same as they always have been.
Comment by Other John — March 10, 2009 @ 11:00 am
Michelle,
I last heard that this Kroger would measure 88,000 square feet, which would be the one of the largest in this area. I'll check back with Kroger officials for more details.
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — March 10, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
Jenny, When you talk to the folks at Kroger, could you ask if they have any plans to expand to store at Spartan Square in Salem? Compared to most of the other Krogers around now, that one is kind of puny. It's also usually crowded.
Comment by Justafan — March 10, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
I agree with Laura on the pleasures of shopping at Target vs. Wal-Mart. Also, Wal-Mart has a history of not treating their employees well so we boycott that store. As for buzzwords, I don't pay attention to them either.
Comment by Beth — March 11, 2009 @ 4:59 am
Here we go with more urban rumors about the EVIL Walmart. I Know several people who work for Walmart and they wouldn't agree with Beth's comment. Walmart pays employee bonus, above minimum wage, has insurance, etc. I have heard more bad things about the way Kroger treats their employees.
Beth, do you also think Walmart had illegal immugrants locked in the back room working for sub-par wages?
Comment by RMac — March 11, 2009 @ 8:59 am
I also don't understand the 'evils' of big boxes. I have worked, and hopefully will again, for one of the big-box hardware stores. The work is good, the pay is definitely fair, and if I were to be full time the benefits would be pretty decent too. They offer a nice match on their 401K (which hopefully will gain value when the stock market turns around), and I just like it. Several friends of ours work for Wal-Mart and they enjoy the pay and benefits and don't seem to have any complaints about the company or what they do. My wife even worked for one of the grocery chains and she enjoyed it and felt the pay and benefits offered were very good, well above what she would have gotten at a local one-location store. It's easy to demonize the box stores because they are national chains with largely nameless and faceless controlling entities that run them. Doing the same thing to a mon n pop retailer that pays its employees less and doesn't offer benefits is a lot more difficult, because the person/people who own and run that store may be your neighbors.
Comment by Other John — March 12, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
I haven't listened to the buzz words in decades. It doesn't matter what kind of words they use or what spin they use, it's still just the same stuff in their flyers every Sunday... never anything new, and to tell you the truth we just don't need anymore 'stuff' in our house. Less is more as far as our shopping habits go.
Di
Comment by Di — March 12, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Justafan,
When talking with Kroger recently, a spokesman told me that the only Roanoke Valley stores with renovation plans are the Vinton and the Smith Mountain Lake locations. I'll let everyone know if Kroger announces any changes to the Spartan Square store.
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — March 23, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
I usually investigate the products with buzz words attached and see if it might actually be a good deal. Target has a better store design and good specialty items (including their stationery and cosmetics). I also like to buy clothes there occasionally. But for basic items, I choose Wal-Mart because their prices are generally lower. And since it's a larger store, they usually have a greater selection of products.
Comment by Potterfan — March 27, 2009 @ 12:21 pm