Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

Looks like Target is considering going back to price-matching.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincitie...l?surround=lfn

"Target tests price-matching programMinneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal - by John Vomhof Jr. Staff Writer

CommentsTarget Corp. is testing a price-matching program at its downtown Minneapolis and Medina stores.

During the test, Target will match the prices in a competitor’s ad on identical items during the dates that the ad is in effect. Shoppers must bring the competitor’s entire print ad with them to the customer-service desk to request a price match.

Minneapolis-based Target (NYSE: TGT) began testing the program — called “Unbeatable Prices. Guaranteed.” — in the Denver and Orlando, Fla., markets March 15, and expanded the program to the downtown Minneapolis and Medina stores May 1.

“Based on the test, we’ll analyze the results and possibly roll out this price-match program nationwide,” spokeswoman Delia McLinden said.

Target has been ratcheting up its emphasis on prices for the past year, as consumers cut back on discretionary purchases during the recession. Its chief rival, Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has long been aggressive on prices, and has weathered the downturn better than Target with a greater reliance on staple products and a perception by customers that its prices are the lowest. It's also boosted its own advertising, spending more on both TV ads and newspaper circulars. Target's price-matching program would seem to be aimed as a counterpunch to that tactic."

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

Haha I stop by that Target in Medina all of the time. There is never anyone there, and because of that, a lot of there stuff goes on clearance.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

How the hell can Target pricematch anything when i can go into one and buy something then find it priced differently at another Target 1 mile down the same street?

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

I saw a thread a few weeks ago on SD claiming they were PMing again. I went to the local one Thursday evening and asked flat-out and was told they don't.

Hopefully it does become widespread again. It's ridiculous they don't.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

I tried once awhile ago and found out they didn't. They've since lost a lot of sales because of that (which I'm sure they're fine with anyway).

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

The only case i've seen that is with clearance items. Other then that, the pricing system should be identical.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

^ not in Houston

pricing depends on the neighboorhood

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

They price-match competitors, so differences between pricing in their own stores is irrelevant.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

This seems odd given that they used to pricematch and then did away with it. The article indicates that they want to be challenge Walmart as having the lowest prices, but really how effective is this? As we've seen on this forum, pricematching can be a very dicey proposition.

We don't even get a Walmart circular in my area... we basically only have department stores, home improvement stores, Best Buy, Target, and Fry's. Seems like most of the pricematching would be done on media... most of the clothes are at least semi-exclusive. Unless they're going to pricematch groceries too.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

It's not about actually having the best price, it's about being able to claim you have the best price. With price matching, Target can do that.

Looks like Target's recent advertising trying to show them as being hip and trendy has kind of backfired. People want cheap right now.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

There are different prices at different stores because of competition in there particular area Walmart does the same thing around here there prices are usually based on what Target has across the street.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

If they start price-matching again I'd start shopping there again.

Re: Target Experimenting with Price-Matching
 

Yes, but will they match Walmart's "Free Icee Refills" policy?