Many people love Target; others won’t go anywhere near it. You shouldn’t let the cute puppy and colorful store fool you. There’s a plot afoot, and we’re here to help you see it. Through our list, you’ll see how Target makes you spend more than you want to, and how you’re probably not even aware that they’re doing it.
Seasonal Goods
Each store in the chain has a holiday section, and like every store, the holiday section is on steroids because people love to spend money during the holidays. Therefore, they have products specifically to draw you in and make you buy more. That’s why at this chain, the holiday section is at the back. You have to walk all the way through the store and shop before you get to what you want.
Shopping Is Fun
Target is a space that feels fun and inviting. Because of that, you’ll want to go there and spend every penny you have. If you pay attention to social media, you’ll see shopping hauls at Target that total more than $500. Others love the coffee and enjoy browsing all the aisles. The music is loud, and the lighting is meant to draw the eye.
More Selection
Target also has things that small shops don’t. Because of that, you’ll skip the local shops and go to the big conglomerate. The store is meant to get in your head and make you feel like they’re the only ones that can help you. They’re convenient and quick. When you start purchasing exclusively from one store, you want to keep going back to them.
Clearance
Target has its clearance section in a strategic place, too. They put it near the end of the store for more temptation. You see the clearance label and think you have to have it right now. So you buy it. Do you need it? Probably not. But for $3 or $5, it doesn’t really matter, right? It all adds up, and some people end up spending over $40 in that section alone.
Registry
This program allows you to create a list for babies, weddings, and other events. You’ll receive discounts on items that remain on the list so that you can make sure you have what you need, and because it’s around 15% off, it gets you to spend. Or it encourages you to think that because you saved money on the last-minute items, a few more couldn’t hurt.
Partnerships
Target also does brand deals for things that people want to buy (remember the Bloom phase before everyone figured out they shouldn’t be touching it?) They also partner with popular clothing brands, and because of that, people spend like crazy. That is particularly true of those who love trying new products and following popular trends.
Clothing Is In Front
Many stores do this because, as you’re shopping, you’ll see that you think a top is cute, or a skirt would be great for a date night. Because it’s right there in your face, you can’t avoid it unless you’re looking at the floor or straight ahead. It’s meant to draw each person in and get things they don’t necessarily need at the moment.
Decision Fatigue
When you spend time in a store, you begin to get tired. Because of that, you get more impulsive and less rational. When you go into the store, you have to go through multiple sections before you get what you want, and you grab things because you’re tired and want to leave. It creates a situation where you’ll grab any brand because you’re not thinking.
Private Label
Also known for the big private label brands, they’ve doubled down on this area. The products show that Target is ‘high end’ and classy, where the competition is not. They get more traffic to the store. Some studies suggest that private labels make up about a third of their sales. Customers like the feeling that they’re buying something that no one else could have, so they’ll see what Target is offering.
Social Media
Everyone likes social media, and it’s being used more and more. Target takes advantage of this and is trying to get the younger generation into Target, too. College towns are seeing more stores pop up, more social media campaigns are being shown, and their app lets people shop online for convenience.
The Category Signs
The big red signs make shopping easier, and that’s another reason people love the store. The signs lead you to what you want, and you feel happier about your trip. However, it also tempts shoppers because seeing the signs might ‘remind’ you of something you need or want. It’s meant to engage you in looking at the entire store.
Product Placement
The main way you’ll spend more money is through their product placement. They put non-essential items near the necessary or popular ones to get you to stop. They do this because you can see something you do need next to something you might need. So you buy both because they complement each other.
Special Shelves
The store has angled shelves where they put products (health, beauty, etc.), and it’s meant to get you to spot new products you might like. Traditional aisles make you walk down the aisle to get what you need, but it’s so much easier to do this on an angled shelf that’s right in your face, isn’t it?
The Return Policy
The return policy is pretty lenient, so this gets people to buy more. Because items can be returned in three months or less, you make impulse buys because you figure you can return them. Once an item is taken home, however, people are less likely to return it. In most cases, people give the items to loved ones before returning them.
Shopping Carts
Target has changed its shopping carts and aisles to ensure that you have the best experience. The shopping carts are easy to fill, the aisles are neat and encourage you to go around the entire store, and this focus means you’ll spend half your paycheck before you even realize what you’re doing.
Shop Wisely
Shopping smarter will help your wallet and lead you to better decisions. Target is ‘targeting’ you, no pun intended, to get you to spend more than you have. They’re good at it, and that’s why you see people on social media spending thousands. With our list, you can see what you’ve been missing and how to avoid their tricks.
