2010.11.08
Major holiday campaign starts later for Target
We’ve all seen the advertisements for early Black Friday sales, and this past weekend, I saw my first holiday television commercial of the year. But at least one discount retailer is taking a slight backseat to major holiday marketing.
Target already has announced its plans for toy sales and Thanksgiving Day shopping ahead of Turkey Day. But for the first year, the retailer is holding back its major holiday marketing campaign until the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Sure, Target stores already are selling ornaments, Christmas home decor and toys for the season. But according to this story, Target’s main holiday product pushes won’t start until after Thanksgiving. And if you check out Target’s website, you’ll notice that there are only slight references to the holiday season.
That’s because the retailer asked shoppers in the past few years for feedback, the story states. Consumers said they did not want to see full blown Christmas campaigns before Thanksgiving.
Do you think Target is making the right choice?
On the other hand, check out this story about Best Buy’s efforts to unveil holiday commercials 10 days earlier this year, on Nov. 1.
Thanks Target! Love ya even more now.
Comment by Gloria — November 9, 2010 @ 8:34 am
While they may not be airing Christmas-related ads, they’ve stepped up their television presence just the same. While I appreciate the lack of holiday references this early I think they’re following our complaints to the letter, but not the meaning.
I’m all bark, though. I shop Target more than anywhere else and will continue to do so!
Comment by Joel — November 9, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Thank you Target!
Comment by Dave — November 9, 2010 @ 1:27 pm
I don’t know its a business decision Target made. They know as well as all of us that people are starting there holiday shopping now. Franky saying hey we wont give it the full push until after Thanksgiving is just a ploy to get the non holiday shopper in right now. Fact remains people will still shop there for gifts without the extra ad blitz. They have there holiday floor plan out, they have started stocking up on the “hot” items for this Christmas, and don’t fool yourself just look at what they have in there ad right now first 5 pages: Games, ipod, ipad, DVDs and Blu rays. Not to forget that target.com has a nice “holiday” them to it right now.
I do have a question. I don’t want to see anything Holiday related until after Halloween, but is it that big of a deal that retailers start pushing after Nov 1 to everyone? I mean they have a business to run and the music and decorations put me in a good mood.
Comment by Keith — November 9, 2010 @ 11:32 pm
I prefer to have the Christmas music, etc start after Thanksgiving.I think it is nice to focus on Thanksgiving as a reminder of what we should be thankful for and sets a nice mood for focusing on family at the beginning of the Christmas holiday. As for Target, I would shop there despite lack of ads. Just a nice, clean, plesant shopping atmosphere.
Comment by Becky — November 10, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
Keith,
It is a big deal to me. When KMart puts up its trees in September and many stores have Halloween and Christmas items side by side, I feel pressured to have some giant Christmas feeling that I’m just not ready for. Also, as a fan of Halloween and Thanksgiving, I hate that merchants try to rush past these to get to Christmas. I don’t normally get into the Christmas spirit until we run out of left-over turkey and put up the tree, which is usually the first weekend of December.
Comment by Dave — November 10, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
I’m so suprised people get this emotional over Christmas decorations. Interesting. I couldn’t care less when Christmas decor comes out. It doesn’t affect me and they have a business to run. More power to them.
Comment by Romo — November 11, 2010 @ 7:58 am
Romo,
That’s my point, people say Business is the back bone of this nation, but hate business doing business. Targets let’s not advertise before thanksgiving is a marking ploy. Trust me they are not afraid of losing business because they have have some pre black Friday deals. People are still going to shop there no matter, but try can get some “good” press, and save a little cash on ad blitz and loss leaders.
But there Black Friday ad has been leaked and it’s a bit agressive.
Comment by Keith — November 11, 2010 @ 11:12 am