As I mentioned in one of my posts yesterday, Target is not all that cheap. Yes, many of us did not expect them to match their US prices, but many people were commenting that items were cheaper elsewhere.
Global News picked up on this and ran a story today with some price comparisons. While they chose to show ones where Walmart is cheaper, they do have some items that are cheaper and worth buying there as well as exclusive brands that you can’t buy elsewhere at some great prices.
Items that seemed to be impressing people were prices on children’s clothing (one woman remarked she would buy her daughter one of everything), beauty prices including some of their exclusive brands, general clothing and some of their own brands of food.
You can always pricematch though!
Keep in mind though Target does offer the RED card, which saves you 5% off every purchase. And I also read in a newspaper article that Target plans to reflect their American prices in border city locations, since people could easily cross over into states and save. Also they usually offer promotions like buy 2 of something and get a gift card, which Walmart doesn’t offer. I have even heard that they will be allowing you to combine their in-store coupons with manufacture coupons, but don’t quote me on that. But overall yes I agree, from my experience shopping stateside Target has been more expensive on everyday items.
Tiffany, Target won’t confirm the stacking of a store coupon with manu as they do not have a public policy yet
They had a standard line of pricing being more here due to import tariffs, shipping costs etc
I have a feeling they’ll be doing a LOT of price-matching then.
@Tiffany, I dont think Target’s “official” word is that they will align prices with their US stores. I think that was speculated on part of the news article. Target Canada would have no reason to align their prices IF people are just crossing the border and buying from Target anyway. They’re making a sale regardless. Also, there has to be a fair profit in the Canadian stores, and if the Canadian supplier costs more, it stands to reason that the retail price in Canada would be more.
In regards to this post, the Target Canada pricing here does NOT surprise me in the least. I am am avid US shopper and Target’s prices are typically about 10%-15% more than Walmart, Best Buy, and other big box stores. On RARE occasion, They have an equal or better price, but it’s not typical.
Granted, the store environment, appearance, etc is nicer, but it’s not enough of reason for me to spend more.
Target exclusives and house brands would be the only reason for me to make a trip into a Target store… or the occasional sale that beats Walmart, Costco, etc. — or if i can’t find what I’m looking for elsewhere.
I’m not surprised, and I didnt share the enthusiasm others have with Target coming here… other than the fact it is new business and it was a nail in coffin for that eyesore that was Zellers.
The prices aren’t that much worse than WalMart and if they have better customer service, have what they advertise in stock, have more than 2 check outs open and have educated employees, the little bit extra in price is worth it IMO. The prices don’t even seem to be that far off from the US prices, my mil brings a lot of clothes back for my kids from Target in the states and she pays more for them there than what pictures are showing they are here.
I agree with DTC. I travel through New England regularly and my shopping experience with Target is about the same as (s)he describes. — that is typically 10-15% more than other stores.
Target stores tend to be more “clean” and quiet, but the prices are usually more than most of the competitors. That’s not to say I don’t shop at Target, but it’s usually based on convenience or if I can’t find what I want at another store (and I still might not find it, but it’s what I walk into Target for).
Sometimes Target (US) has a sale that beats other box stores, but not always, and not often… and when Walmart has a Rollback on the same items (perhaps at another time) it’s usually better than what Target’s sale price was.
I also like Target’s house brands especially on some household items (curtains, bedsheets, etc)
I agree that it’s nice to have a new retailer coming into Canada, especially the caliber of Target — but I’m not sure they were worth all the hype and excitement people have been touting. — just based on my experience.
I’m with Melissa on this one – if Target has better all around customer service, then I’m in.
Personally, I really don’t like shopping at Walmart. So much so that I just don’t go there anymore. Period. There are 4 Walmarts reasonably close to me, 2 of them newly renovated and/or brand-spanking new. And they are all awful. There are ALWAYS lineups at least 10 people deep and never more than 3 cashes open, no matter what time of day it is. The stores are dark and feel dingy and dirty. And it often feels like there is never anyone who knows anything around. The person on the floor doesn’t know (that’s if you can find an employee on the floor), so they send you to customer service, then the customer service people don’t know (after you’ve waited 15 minutes in the customer service line) so they call a manager, but the manager is in some office somewhere in a secret area of the building that is apparently 15 minutes from the customer service desk. ARGH. I just find it such a frustrating experience every time I shop there, and as a customer, I want…better. I can’t even imagine how frustrating it must be to work in an atmosphere like that. I know that there are many, many people who don’t mind that type of atmosphere if they can save money, and more power to them. And many people shop at Walmarts where the employees and management teams have got their stores together. But that has never been my experience. So, I’m going to give Target a shot, and price match the crap out of Walmart’s flyers.
I travel to the States regularly usually Massena and Syracuse. I have been to Targets only once in all my years, and it was expensive, and I never went back. I find I get great deals and pm at all the other stores. I wish them luck, but they are going to have to do something special like lower prices, optimum points to get me to go to their store. I know some of you mentioned that if you use their Red Card you get 5% but if their prices are 10-15% higher were’s the savings!!!
Do not buy targets store brand sonic e series replacement toothbrush heads. they are useless and a waste of your money.
I would rather shop at Target anyday over Walmart! I find the customer service horrible! Using coupons is awful.. I wish I had a local Target, with saying that I do have a local Walmart Superstore and I HATE going there. Even though they can have some great deals to use with coupons,problem has always been the products are gone quick and not replenshed quickly. In the past year I have been to the local one maybe 2-3 times! I have been to the Walmart in the USA a lot more this year. Target in the States is a nice, clean, organized store with different products than the typical discount department store. I have not been to one in Ontario yet, I hope they are similar.
Does Target have a grocery section? If not chances are I won’t be shopping there for a quite sometime.
It will differ by market, Linda but they do not have any/much fresh groceries. No meats except packaged lunchmeats/dinner meals etc, they had cheese, milk etc
They have a small section of pre-packed produce
For me , it is worth the drive over the border to the US side for shopping and a gas fill up !
Make it an overnight stay and load up with $400.00 of merchandise and a fill up !
Just my 2 cents here.
Target needs to remember how they managed to acquire Zeller’s stores !
Canadian shoppers turned their backs on high prices and poor customer service.
@Larry… you cant get $400 worth of stuff for an overnight stay when you cross the border — the 24 hour exemption is $200. If you bring in MORE than $200 — you have to pay tax on EVERYTHING. No Alcohol or tobacco allowed either.
See “I declare” on Personal Exemptions: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html#s2x9
Which, incidentally doesn’t make it worth it. (consider that a hotel and a couple of meals would cost you FAR more than $30… which is 15% of $200… you might as well pay the tax coming home and sleep in your own bed)
Incidentally, after 48 hours, the exemption bumps up to $800 and you only have to pay tax and duty on anything over that amount.
@Larry (again) — also you can’t put two cents in anymore… it’s a nickel now thanks to there being no more pennies. 🙂
If you sign up for their red card, you’ll save 5% on nearly every item
Let’s see and here people’s opinions about Target after they visited the stores .
Hopefully, the higher prices mean that the stores will be able to afford the following things:
– lighting and interior design/decorating that makes the store look bright and inviting (insead of dark, dirty and uninviting)
– products on shelves that are clean (instead of scratched, dented and dirty)
– packages haven’t been opened by other customers
– employees that actually care about their job, and don’t try to ignore people when they ask for help
– air conditioning for when it gets hot in the summer
– heating for when it gets cold in the winter
– janitors/cleaning/pest control companies so the store stays clean and dont create an environment for insects/bugs
Basically, if the higher prices allow Target to not be like Zellers (and certain Walmart stores), then I’ll be happy!! LOL
Horrible experience more expensive and also small aisles. Limited supply with little product. Not worth while. Should have stayed states side…
The Only reason Target opened stores in CANADA was to acquire leaseholds and gain a monopoly,lets not forget that Target acquired all Zeller’s premises and did not open stores in all locations,seems like they will be sub-leasing and will acquiring monopoly this way,plus they hired tons of people –made them build the whole store opn minimum wage and whoever they liked during the store build up days gave them more hours and slashed other people’s hours whom the Team Leaders personally didn’t like telling them that business isn’t booming(there is a catch to that as well)…. Generating jobs and hiring people on min wage and making them build the store so that they do not have to pay hefty sums of monies to contractors and th show CRA that they generated jobs and will be get a hefty credit back from CANADIAN TAX MONIES….Double game played by this US INVESTOR—
.and now telling the workforce that business isnt booming they they will show their capital loss—getting ready to get 50% regain from CRA of what was projected via performance reports.
Most Canadians don’t understand this hijack…..A GAME WELL PLAYED-OF course by a US investor