Why Americans Are OBSESSED with Target
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- Опубликовано: 8 ноя 2022
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How did this one retail giant turn shopping for basic items like toothpaste and shower curtains into a form of therapy for a very specific target demo: young suburban moms ???
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For further reading, check out the sources for this video here:
docs.google.com/document/d/e/...
Script: Caroline Eaton Pickard
Editor: Kim Su + Kirsten Stanley
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand
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You go to Target simply for the luxury of not having to go to a Wal-Mart
That seems to be the consensus, hey? Wonder if there's other stores that fit the bill other than WalMart or Target or if those two are the main contenders for this market...
@@FutureProofTV hard to think of other contenders without venturing into smaller scale or more specialty-like stores. It's almost like these super stores fulfill the role that whole malls used to fit, with many smaller stores under one roof.
I work at Ingles. People come in complaining about prices and I just say go to Walmart.
We do actually carry a lot of stuff Walmart and Target don't.
But yeah. You go to any other places for the luxury of not seeing inside a Wally World.
Exactly, I can only shop at Walmart in the middle of the night when no one is there
@@FutureProofTV homegoods would be a good one
From a neurodivergent perspective Target is a lot less stressful and overwhelming too. The music is low if they even have music on, the carts don’t vibrate and they’re quiet, the big space means it’s less crowded so it’s less noisy. I do think Target is pretty expensive though
Literally same here. I get so easily overstimulated and while there is a lot to look at around the store I don’t feel as intimidated because of the calming atmosphere.
Same. I’ll pay a few extra bucks just to avoid the overstimulation, horrible fluorescent lighting and disorganization in a Walmart. 🤌🏼
i’m from england so never been in to know a difference, is it really that much of a difference? just interested :) x
@@betsy834 it’s all the small details that add up to a pretty big difference. The aisles are big so you don’t have to say excuse me to get by. They are very big so you’re often alone in an aisle. They have a very quiet overhead system if they play music at all. Their carts are quiet. They have carpeted sections. The lights are not the flickering fluorescent kind. The staff don’t bother or rush you, but there are many points throughout the store where you could call for help or look things up yourself (the look up thing is only in some targets I think) if you need it. And that’s just stuff about the shopping experience, nothing about the content of the store.
The difference is at Walmart it’s louder, more crowded, the lights are awful, it’s not a place you want to be, it’s a place you go in, get your things, and get out. Whereas Target is not so stressful, so it makes shopping actually fun for someone like myself who usually gets overstimulated and anxious.
Key fact to know: these benefits are not transferable to NYC target locations lmfao they are almost always really crowded
The carts are loud as absolute shit in every store i'm in, including the i used to work ☠
Target isn’t anything crazy. It’s just way better than Walmart. I’m not even talking about the of the quality of the stuff they sell. I’m talking about the layout and energy of the store. I feel anxious in Walmart. I want to get out of there a quickly as possible. At Target I can be in there for deodorant and go look around for another 30min but still leave with only deodorant. Also the ceilings are lower in target, I can’t explain why I like that but I do. Target has plastic carts that are smooth af. Target has cooler clothes. The lighting is better. I don’t spend a lot of money at Target but it’s just more enjoyable to be there.
These points are coming up lots, Target just wins over it's competitors (if even by a small margin). Thanks for sharing!
Walmart makes me super anxious.
You hit the nail on the head. I find myself going to target to unwind after stressful exams, or whenever I need to calm down or feel better. I don’t always buy anything either, or sometimes I intentionally find myself only buying half of what I need so I can come another day. I often just aimlessly wander the store and stare at the seasonal sections to see what’s new, without buying anything, getting satisfaction from seeing the stock change. It’s just a really calming and uplifting place to be, I can’t say why.
Oh, so you;re that person I see all the time walking around stalking people while holding a can of deodorant. At my local Target, not only is it staffed with some of the goofiest mormons and witches you ever want to see, but even the customers are looking more and more like Walmart customers, without the snotty stuck-up energy Target customers have.
Walmart customers - Gang Bangers
Target Customers - Witches, Satan Worshipers and Mormons
Which group is worse?
@@FutureProofTV Yeah, but Target is also losing more money than Walmart. Anyone who knows that sees your report as shilling for Target. Even then, you shame people for buying DVDs at Target. Your snarky put downs of people making purchases YOU don't approve of is typical of the snotty degrading treatment that I get from 20% of the staff at my nearby Target.
With living in Alaska - it’s dark for a long period of a time during the winters. Target is our go-to spot to shop during the winters just for their use of lighting alone.
Hadn't even considered the lighting being such a pro in darker places, that's a cool point! Thanks for sharing and joining us here, Joe 🤙
Im 19 and I worked at Target since I was 16. So depressing working there. Both what I had to do but seeing everyone making it their personality trait that they buy too much. "did you find everything okay?" "mOrE tHan I wAs loOkiNg fOr"
Huh?
Ooooooof that's grim
I worked at target twice and hated it. When I quit for the final time I truly was promoted to guest🤷🏼♀️ I am now a basic target loving person but as a previous employee I completely understand where you are coming from.
That really does sound depressing. I hope you find another job soon before it eats you alive.
Is “Can I help you find something?” still the corporate preferred question?
I have always thought that it was weird how fast fashion brands (or Amazon) get a lot of hate but shopping for clothes at Target clothing is praised as a “find” or a “steal.”
Ironic because Target clothing is probably created in a similar manner to their fashion counterparts. The prices are so low for a reason.
Exactly! It's fast fashion regardless of if you buy it from the department store or the designated mall outlet 👀👀
the conditions theyre made in are probably very similar, but ive owned some fast fashion and amazon brand stuff before and i can attest that the stuff you get at target is leagues better. stuff i feel like i have to buy new when i need it (undies, socks, etc) are so much better and actually last a wash cycle while amazon stuff and fast fashion probably wont. now thankfully im in a slightly better place financially so i can look for better made pre-owned stuff if i need it but if i need something new, cheap and in a hurry i would rather go to target every time over the amazon alternative. though i find myself in that situation a lot more rarely nowadays since ive been able to get a lot of stuff thats made better and more ethically so i find myself shopping there less and less for things that arent grocery or incidentals (theyre still cheaper by a lot unfortunately and tbh theres not much thats more ethical to be found in my area)
It's not really fast fashion if it's super basic stuff made to an acceptable quality. I get chinos there for instance. They won't go out of style
i actually must disagree. i'm someone who refuses to buy clothes from target bc they can be pretty expensive (upper middle class prices), but the clothing actually looks and feels to be made from good material
Target has mostly had a good design team, but in recent years, they’ve been designing their clothes to be a little more trendy and fashion forward.
I think this video ignores a huge aspect of target that involves classism. People shop at target even though it's always about 10-20% more expensive because they don't want to shop at Walmart with the 'poors' and deal with all that comes with that in the store. Target knows this and works hard to maintain this image to keep its customers happy
It's more walmart is super crowded and aisles are super small,very uncomfortable to shop
At least in my area, the Walmart is located right next to my towns university so it’s always filled with annoying loud college kids. Basically ensures I’ll never shop there unfortunately.
THIS IS SOOOOO TRUE!! Same reason why in the South people shop at Publix instead of Walmart. They like the "experience" of shopping in a nicer store, but also they just don't want to shop somewhere they deem is for poor and especially WEIRD people lol. They don't want to be associated with that.
More like, people want to go where they can actually shop. I went to three walmarts to look at laptops, all were either stolen or broken. FFS
That used to be the case but from what I’ve seen now Walmart isn’t really much cheaper anymore. Just has the reputation of being cheaper.
I have really bad anxiety so places like Walmart are extremely hard for me to shop at. Too loud, too many people, and too much always going on. Target until recently didn’t even play music in their stores, and it was very calming for me to shop there. I’ll pay extra to not be on edge shopping
yes!! i feel the same way. target is genuinely one of the only “safe” places for me to shop. i know that it’ll be a calm, quiet atmosphere and as long as i’m not going in the middle of a saturday it likely won’t be very crowded either. definitely worth paying a bit extra to avoid a potential panic attack or overwhelm, and genuinely enjoy the shopping experience.
Me too unless it's extremely busy which has only been an issue for me a few times. It's most always a comfortable experience and I know what to expect.
yup! i was harassed in walmart because i was apparently taking too long in the fitting room, but it’s not my fault they only have one for each gender 🙃 that would never happen in target smh
Yall sound goofy af 🤣
If you got the money for it knock yourself out I ain't going there it's too damn high
Target is an amazing store. And i don't think its evil of them to try to appeal to a demographic of people who are not rich but simply want a degree above the bare minimum. I appreciate their unique atmospheric approach a lot as a person with severe depression. A Target trip gives me a little bit of serotonin to keep me going, whereas walmart makes me want to disappear forever
"Buy more stuff"
@@jeaniner7322 There is nothing evil about being a consumer. There is nothing evil about target.
Your paying for the experience like salt baes restaurant.😂
@@SCIFIguy64 yes, thats what Capitalism wants you to think
It’s not that serious, bro
The easiest way to avoid the Target Effect is to not have any money (ask me how I know), that acts as a blinder to everything else in the store that you don't actually need.
And going in with a plan is always good too! Get in and get out 💪
i know that too 🤣 i'll be at target looking for the cheapest version of an item, and if i still think it's too expensive, then i just buy it at walmart
A good tip if you're trying to not have money: work at Target. Can't afford to shop there if you work there.
I only go to Target because it has a much calmer atmosphere compared to Walmart. In my experience people in target respect your space and everyone isn’t in a hurry while shopping. That’s the only reason why I love Target!
so target came in really really clutch when my house burned down in October 2019, target was the first place my roommate and I went to to get the nessesities we needed to live. I made so many trips to target to rebuild my life, it's just so easy honestly. And then the pandemic came a few months later and my depression got really bad so yeah, the whole shopping addiction to feel something part really hit home for me
Wow ...God bless you
Thank you for sharing! I’m glad you got back on your feet.
Target enthusiast here. I agree with everything you said. (Got worst during the pandemic that is fo' sure.)
Saying Walmart is similar to Target is like telling a Middle Class/Working Class person, they are Lower Class. That is the main reason why they are offended.
That is the kind of image Walmart has thanks to blogs like People of Walmart.
Technically speaking(economy view) Walmart is the better company(by that I mean more middle class workers do go to Walmart)
I also have the view the middle class stopped at 1980(economy student here)
It's all about the customer service for me. I'm almost afraid to ask for help in a Wal Mart because the employees seem either annoyed that I stopped them, wont know the answer, or just give me a quick answer and then rush off without waiting to see if I still need help. In Target they actually stop me to ask if I need anything or at least give a quick smile. If I do have a question they will stop what they are doing to help.
Target stores look good. Bright colors, clean aisles, cheerful decor, and well-done displays. It makes it a pleasure to shop there. Plus, their sundry items like toothpaste and dish liquid are as low-priced as Wal*Mart’s.
It's called the Target Tax. It is what people pay so they don't have to go to Walmart.
I worked at Target in April 2020 when Covid hit (my current job furloughed everyone) and I worked there for 5 months. You really learn a lot from seeing it from the employee side of it and now I can barely go in one.
With regards to Target, I’m a utilitarian shopper. Within my area, it’s the cheapest place to buy laundry detergent and cleaning supplies without buying bulk at Costco. The fact that I can buy stuff through their Target app, then park in a designated spot where they’ll deliver it to you is sublime. It completely negates having to go into the store where it’s too easy to get distracted by “sale” items.
Just being neurodivergent, I really love target. I live in a busy area, but if I go during later hours of the day, my target is pretty quiet. I can actually shop and buy things without feeling so overwhelmed by music and extreme noise. Going to walmart has caused more than one major panic attack for me. Just being able to go grab medicine or self care products or a pair of pants or whatever is WELL WORTH the extra money to me. I buy all of my college and office supplies at target, many electronics and other things. Not having my day ruined by the panic of walmart is priceless to me.
I really appreciate the side dive into psychology and hedonistic shopping. I didn't realize I've been doing that for a while now, and this is hopefully the kick in the ass I needed to start fixing that aspect of myself. Thank you.
My shopping addiction is enabled by the apps that I still hesitate to delete off my phone. I’ve gotten a lot better with it now, but still, it’s hard.
For no reason other than boredom, I found myself poring over watches on Amazon, Jomashop, Ebay, and other places ... The one-click purchase button is definitely the Devil's creation.
As someone who’s not an American, I don’t completely understand the hype Americans have over Target. Maybe it’s fairly cheap and convenient for the most part. We admire all your hard work and effort, Future Proof. May God bless your team.
As an American I don't understand it either
Sophia, Target is simply a great store. The staff and merchandise are better than most discount stores. When I visited NYC, I went to Target to get lipstick and other small items. The lipstick cost less and someone helped me find the right colour. She was glad to help. So unusual in the big city.
It's not cheap, it's more expansive compared to other grocery places. It's like 110 cents more if you get it at target. But with genric store brands it's not bad.
@@ray-al15 depends on the area. I go to Target these days because it's cheaper than Jewl Osco (Albertson's), or Trader Joes for the same produce these days.
Suburban white folks made it pop like this I noticed the higher the tax bracket the more target and less Walmart
Recently, all the Walmarts in my area are starting to take the Target approach - large displays of clothes, brighter lights, modern redesign and thankfully, more self checkout kiosks. They even have a Bullseye area but it's for quick snacks and drinks on the go.
Hey if it works it works, just wish more people didn't buy into it all - but hopefully videos like these keep people thinking about stuff like this when they walk into a store 😜😀
Interesting that you said "thankfully" about self checkout. All I'm seeing from the Walmart shoppers are complaints about "having to do their job for them."
@@drewe2331 all the walmarts in my area, self checkout is faster than normal checkout considering there's only ever 0-1 people actually doing normal checkout.
@@drewe2331 I love self checkout. I don’t have to have awkward convos or awkward silence with the cashier, I like how quickly and efficiently I pack my items, if I have an issue with scanning I’m not awkwardly holding anyone up behind per se as compared to someone has all their stuff on the belt already and can’t scurry over to an available scanner. I feel like I can do it better so I’ll choose me every time. If self check out ever went away completely I’d be so annoyed lol
The self-checkouts are a curse if you have even one piece of produce with no barcode. Never seen one in a Target.
Target is so posh and chic for a grocery store. It makes the middle class feel wealthy and classy. It’s a nice experience shopping at Target. Some Targets are better at that than others.
I remember in high school 7 years ago my friends and I would go to Target to hangout.
Mm the popcorn is so good!
I happen to shop at target for my weekly groceries and the atmosphere is just not chaotic like Walmart is. I can get in and out quickly and don't have to deal with large crowds or people begging for money in the parking lot.
I am very much a utility shopper, I very rarely impulse buy anything. There are a few reasons I shop at Target:
- I'm a city girl. Target has stores in cities, Wal-Mart is more rural. I have not lived near a Wal-Mart in 20 years.
- Target carries some fairly high end products. My local store has an Ulta mini-store inside, and sells high end beauty products.
- With Target's credit card, everything costs 5% less. If I'm researching products, I can get them for less at Target.
There is a Walmart in our small midwest ( US ) town ; there is a W. thirty miles away in Urbana , Il. & another a few miles from that in Champaign, Il. Our local store is dirty , poorly stocked , few checkouts available & the shoppers are scary in appearance & behavior - people who work there refer to them as " the bus people " . Worth driving 30+ miles to the nicer W. stores plus a Target closeby !
I live in a city there’s literally 2 Walmarts and 2 targets within 15 minutes of each other
@@thefarklenator4518 Crazy ! Makes you wonder if upper management people talk to each other & are aware of the marketing strategies ? Who missed the zoom call ? ! 🤣 Our town had a Target & Hobby Lobby & both were constantly swamped ; then closed . Duh ...😒 So now we drive 30 miles to both at Champaign-Urbana , Il. ( college town - Univ. of Il. ) & when there , shop the wide variety of nice stores & enjoy the many unique restaurants . Our town now feels like a suburb of C-U !
I did a ten year stint working for Target and let me tell y’all, they know what they’re doing as far as selling goes. The Starbucks is always popping even if there’s one not even 200 feet outside the building. People make a culture of going to Target and cruising down the aisles. I remember they tried in Canada back in 2011 and it failed. Plus the REDcard, they kinda pioneered a debit card that gives you 5% off your purchases.
I remember Target being huge in the 1990's (and demanding popcorn every time my Mom took me there), then it sort of fizzled in the 2000's, and now it's super popular again I think in part because they are supplying more everyday goods like food, detergents, cleaners, etc. and also the quality of clothing and home goods has improved (a bit) but kept at a relatively affordable price. And one Target in my neighborhood even has a mini-Disney store in the middle of it. I avoid shopping there as much as possible, but sometimes I will pop in if I'm looking for a very specific item.
I beg to differ. The quality of home goods at Target has declined. Except maybe their furniture. 🪑 But it’s still trash. Their bedroom and kitchen linens used to be better. So did decor items like candles, throw blankets, and Christmas ornaments. I’ve been shopping there since the ‘90s too, but as an adult. Their clothing was better and peaked in the early 2000s. To be fair, everything is more cheaply made nowadays.
@@hereforit2347 That's fair.
@@PNWGardener: I still shop there. Aside from cleaning supplies, cat food, and other necessities, I still find nice things for the house now and then, especially online. I miss their garden department.
In Washington state, Target fizzled out in the late 90s & barely scrapes by today. I've seen more permanently closed locations than opening ones. Maybe it's because were so close to Canada, where they failed completely.
@@LikaLaruku: Interesting. In the L.A. metro area, more have popped up, even post-pandemic and in the face of Amazon. 🤷🏾♀️
I agree with everything you said although I will say Target has some sustainable options that other box stores like Walmart don't. Like blueland cleaning products, native/ hey humans deodorant, stasher bags, etc. I go there only for my tolietries at this point because it's the only place I can find sustainable brands that's not online and I don't want to pay shipping.
Food too! They are the only place that has some of the same brand as Whole Foods!
I purposely stopped shopping at Target for 5 years and learned to live without it. Now, I do go there, get only what I need and leave - I no longer fall for the gimmick (note I have a Target within walking distance from my home, so it is location convenientent)
I recently started dealing with high blood pressure and had a bout of anxiety. I hadn't been to Target in a while and decided to make a trip. The moment I stepped in the door I felt the anxiety and stress just lift off my shoulders. I could breathe. And of course, I spent more money than planned, but it was worth it.
I love target, their curb pick up is the easiest compared to any other stores. Huge value for a young family /working parents.
As someone who is a current team lead (manager) at my local Target I really liked and appreciated this video. I think the only thing I have to add is Target’s willingness to be inclusive. They partner with a lot of groups and people of color to create specifically unique merchandise and giving these people a platform is another reason I think people love shopping at Target.
As I’ve gotten older I have to agree that rampant consumerism is becoming a bit of an issue especially here in America and I like how the video touched on that aspect as it’s not only an issue you’ll find at Target. I will say though that in my experience Target has been a great company to work for. I was promoted to a leadership role within a year, I really enjoy the people I work with which makes work feel less like work, and on top of all that Target is actually paying for me to go back to school. I am studying business administration at a major PAC 12 school and it’s all being fully paid for by the company. The best part is you don’t have to be in a management role to do this and this program is available to regular team members. Ironically one of my business classes actually touched upon why Target’s expansion into Canada failed which I’m surprised wasn’t mentioned in the video.
Other than that this was well researched and put together but as a fan of the channel I’ve come to expect that with every Future Proof upload! Funnily enough I also am a fellow Canadian who has since moved south of the border. If only Target’s swapped out the Starbucks for a Timmy’s (Tim Horton’s), sold Old Dutch ketchup chips, and decent poutine it probably would have saved the Canadian expansion…
P.S. I started out as one of the people who delivers drive up orders and pushing carts so believe me I was grateful the carts are made of lightweight plastic and not metal!
Out of curiosity, why didn't it work? I assume it wasn't just not stocking Canadian products and that there was a bigger cultural element to it?
@@sarahwatts7152 sorry please excuse my lame sense of humor 😅 I’m sure they sold Canadian staples in the stores it was just many other factors!
A lot of it had to do with Target’s management and information systems not being well suited enough to handle the expansion. For example it failed to take into account the differences from metric to standard units of measurement for products. This in turn would cause issues with the system not knowing when to send messages down the supply chain that the store is out of X product and needs more shipped to it. Which then resulted in many of the stores having a lot of empty shelves.
This was all compounded by the fact that Target had bought many closed down Zellers and other retail stores all at once and set a hard deadline of when they wanted stores to be renovated and open nationwide in Canada. Eventually it got to the point where it was cheaper for the company to actually shut it down than fix all of these issues.
Had Target created a new management and information system tailored for the Canadian market and taken a slower more methodical store opening rollout then there’s a good chance they would have succeeded in the great white north 🇨🇦
Hey "Target Team Leader" ...this snotty brat shamed people for buying "DVDs". My Target Store is filled with snotty mormon and witchcraft employees who use their job positions to insult and degrade customers the Mormon church has on their "black list". Do YOU shame customers for buying DVDs and for filing complaints on door to door Mormons who won't stop knocking on your door harassing you with their new age Luciferian witchcraft religion too?
@@PapaJohn1O Holy crap! Yeah, I can so see it now. I guess we should establish a universal measuring system, start measuring everything by octopuses or school buses 😛
Target Team Member here: While the regular carts are fantastic.... the three-tiers can be headaches if the front wheels aren't screwed in properly.... and they are the ones we use for drive-up orders...
1. The atmosphere is pretty pleasant. It can be almost compared to the feeling of walking in Macy's. Totally different to Walmart.
2. Carts! The carts from Target have really good and smooth rolling. The best!!!
3.Stylish clothings
I am very very picky with clothings. Trust me... Target has really cool trendy clothings. Their kids clothings are so cool too. Their bedding sets and some furnitures are pretty and reasonably priced.
4. It is the Thing!!!! going to Target with stylish leggings, pick up coffee from Starbucks and doing morning errands while checking out cool fashion goods.
When I started working at Target the first thing I noticed was the lack of windows throughout the store, which made my shifts both drag on and zoom by; I had to rely on alarms to keep track of the time, which I'd never noticed as a customer (excuse me, the head honchos insist on calling them GUESTS) before then. This is a tactic similarly used by casinos to keep people there longer to spend more money. Working at the registers I can't even tell you how many people would tell me they came for one or two things and ended up with a whole basket of stuff, as if it was a funny achievemnt to laugh over. It was a real eye-opening experience on how big businesses don't just want to sell you things you need, but use psychological tricks to convince you into spending more money.
Wanting to make sales is not unique to Target.
No joke but my fiancé and I go on “Target dates.” We’ll window shop the entire store, just wandering and browsing, and then get out our list and grocery shop and get home goods. And yes, there’s an impulse buy or two sometimes but we always go home happy to have given them our money 😂
Lol my husband and I do the same thing! Get what's on our list but then go through the whole store just browsing around. He might splurge on a new funko pop and I might snag a new phone case, sometimes not but we always have a nice time.
There's a pleasing aesthetic to Target that immediately impresses itself upon your subconscious the moment you walk in. It's quiet. There's not usually much noise except in the electronics section where the TVs are playing advertisements. The lighting gives everything a softer glow, including in the dressing rooms where the clothing somehow looks better on you than when you try it on at home.
It feels like the kind of place upper middle class people will shop who can afford time and money to shop. It's typically full of white moms in their late twenties and onwards who shop there. The aisles are easy to navigate with carts that have been engineered to feel lightweight and just as easy to roll to whatever section you're looking for. The store is purposely designed in a way to keep you shopping far longer than you probably should. There's nothing wrong with browsing and shopping when you do have money to spend. When you don't, it's not the kind of place to shop because it's usually more expensive than other stores.
It is uncanny how many companies like Target, Walmart, and any other major corporate owned businesses have made this a normal thing for us to accept. I'm tired of mega corps trying to figure out how many ways they can get me to buy things I don't need. I'm tired of their advertising tactics trying to convince me, "I need this product in my life to feel satisfied, loved, wanted, accepted, etc..." It would be great if we could regulate how companies advertise to us. If there was an option to opt out of most advertising, I probably would. I know it's one of the main ways we learn about a new product, but it'd be nice not to be bombarded with ads to spend my money.
I love you channel my dude. I love how you use marketing concepts in a fun and undestandable way. Store layout strategies, psychological prices, all amazingly executed!
Hey there, thanks so much! We're working hard to get quality content out weekly, we're glad it's resonating. Thanks again 🤙
I hate that target blew up during the pandemic. Now they’re all crowded 😭 2015-2019 it was so empty
One of the many issues with Walmart is the prices, I swear this is a constant thing, it never fails that something rings up wrong, also I will check the app to see if they have a product, it’ll say in stock, then when I go, it’s not on the shelf.
The only reason I prefer shopping at Target is because they have a huge Target store by my house and it’s like the only supermarket near me. The main reason why I go shopping there rather than spending more time driving to stores like Walmart is because of the luxurious feel of shopping in a recently remodeled store, just feels nice tbh
They also try to keep it clean... I mean compare to Walmart
Target used to be a design leader. Their graphics, design icons and store layouts were the envy of retail. Today, they have overworked employees, mediocre merchandise and poor management. I hope one day they come back to their senses.
As an ex Target employee, I agree.
I'm an employee of four years about to leave in December, and boy are the poor management and overworked employees statements true.
MEDICORE MERCHANSIDE !!!
It’s funny that so much of what goes into the cultural hype around Target is the pleasantness of the shopping experience, bc for some reason I always feel a bit sick when I’m in a Target for more than like 10 minutes. Idk whether it makes no sense but it makes me feel kinda motion sick? It also happens to me in Barnes & Noble, tragically
it's probably the lighting. it happens to me too. i think the lack of natural light along with terrible florescent lighting really drags on the soul lol
@@doomerconsumer That happens to me in Meijer - headache & watery eyes !
!! i feel this way at Home Depot and banks! dizzy and nauseous.
It may be overstimulation of environment or internal emotional response to environment.
@@shaymay2892 I've known many who cannot tolerate the dyes in materials in fabric stores & also furniture stores ( chemicals in fabrics & wood finishes ) & carpet stores . 🤢
Here in California and in my experience, Target is the nicer Walmart essentially. Target has just about everything walmart has to offer plus a cleaner and CIVILIZED shopping experience. I worked at a walmart for exactly one year and a lot of people that shop there are entitled, disgusting, barbaric and rude. Target at worse is just crowded especially at the entrance because for some reason EVERYONE needs to stop and gaze at the store while everyone else is trying to get in. As far as target's exclusive brands/releases. Some of it is a hit, some of it is a miss. Their Threshold brand for bed sheets are actually nice. I still buy physical music(cd's & vinyl's), and when Adele released her album 30 target had a special version of the album that included like 2 or 3 extra songs that the regular release didn't have. That exclusive wasn't too bad either IMO. Other than that, I shop at target all the time for basic needs.
Hit the nail on the head right there. I worked at Walfart twice and it was horrible, the managers were soulless and so many of the shoppers were just animals. Loud, dirty, smelly, and rude. People Of Walmart exists for a reason.
“Who still uses DVDs,” Levi asks. “I do, Levi, I do!” 😂 I cannot stream certain movies when I want to watch them. Further, sometimes I don’t want to turn on the computer and get distracted by all that one can be distracted by when trying to find a movie to stream. Also, when I don’t have great access to WiFi when traveling, I have enough digital movie copies from DVDs/blu-rays that I don’t need WiFi.
I'm quite young and I'm the same way. I have more blu-rays than DVDs, but same thing. Why pay $5-10 every time I want to watch a movie when I can pay $10-15 to watch it as many times as I want? I like to own things, and DVDs/blurays ensure that I own and can access my favorite shows, games, and movies anytime. Helps me avoid the trap of on-demand subscriptions.
I like target because it’s a predictable experience where I can go and get essentials, and Walmart feels like kind of a free-for-all. My average “target run” is like 10 minutes long of just getting essentials.
I don’t really shop for fun, like…ever, since I don’t enjoy shopping and honestly I absolutely hate it, but honestly Walmart feels more “fun” and I get more of the treasure hunting vibes there because they just have so much stuff and it tends to be a bit disorganized.
Edit: oh, and the target is also really close to where I live so that helps.
I am kind of the same way, if I dont got money I go in and out very quickly. My mother doesn't like that 🤣 says to not go so fast and look around. I'm just like nope I dont need anything right now besides what I came here for.
I find the title and opening funny because when I worked at a best buy next to a target in northern North Dakota, we had people come from Winnipeg dang near EVERY WEEKEND to load their cars at target and then best buy. They would tell us about how much they loved it and just buy like crazy. And it was always new groups! We always thought it was very strange, but they helped us hit sale numbers so they were very welcomed in my department anytime!
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I’m a high school student in suburban Arizona, which means we have nothing to do here. I also am in a quite unusual circumstance because there is a target within walking distance of my school, so during our hour lunch break or after school people sometimes go out to shop or just relax. What i’ve realized is the store is almost always full of 200 to 300 high school kids, but the design of the store still makes it extremely pleasant to just browse and get lost for a bit. The starbucks in the front is usually a different story, but once you pass the front of the store it’s remarkably quiet.
I work at Target and I love this video, Levi is spot on with lots of stuff. Also suburban moms target as a hobby is the pinnacle of our shoppers at my store lmao
Randomly went into Walmart yesterday and two customers started yelling and cursing at each other. That quickly reminded me why I don’t go there anymore. I’m a #TargetBabe for life 😂
Plus, the Walmart by me locks up certain products like nails, razors, mens socks (which I like to wear), and undershirts. Im not shopping anywhere that makes me feel like a criminal or forces me to search all over God’s creation for an employee to grant me access to basic products.
That is so true, the locking up of basic stuff is annoying. They need to bump up security or just deal with the fact that some people are going to steal unfortunately.
This. A large aspect of Targets appeal to me is that it’s more inviting than Walmart. They also have better Asset Protection than Walmart, an AP at target can get double the salary than an AP at Walmart, albeit they have higher demands. I had a friend get arrested because she would give out free coffee to friends when she worked at the Starbucks, AP watched her and waited for the total amount to become chargeable. Luckily the charge was dropped so long as she repaid the total amount which was only like $130 and nothing stayed on her record.
So true
#targetbabe cringy
@@8luvbug Aww I hope you feel better soon
I think for some of us it's a reason to get out. I went to target a lot during the pandemic because I needed a reason to leave the house. The experience of having a comforting place to go. People like having that comfort, even if it means going into debt. Which is sad but how consumerism gets a lot of people in North America.
Like in the past the mall would have been another comfortable place to visit.
I think it helps that Target is willing to make smaller stores for more densely packed areas alongside the big box ones. I go to Walmart a good amount, but it’s 40 minutes by bus since I live in a place where big box stores just aren’t feasible in the immediate area. If I need something quicker, there’s a Target 10 minutes by bus or 20 minutes walking since by opening a smaller store, they could locate it better. It’s not even really more expensive than Walmart, and I’ve actually found some absolute steals there before. I often pass by it just walking places, so it’s not uncommon for me to just pop in and look around to see if there are any good discounts. I have to go out of my way to get to Walmart, so often I’ll go to target purely out of convenience even though the Walmart is actually pretty good.
I haven't been in a Target in over 10 years. Those stores are designed to help you spend money on stuff you do not need. If I don't go there, I automatically save money.😊😊😊
I like Target because it’s not Walmart.
Honestly... fair.
Honestly, I love the clearance that target has. I am always shopping end caps.
i work at target and i can say with 100% accuracy, the bullseye section is one of the biggest playmaker when it comes to guest retention. An example is the back-to-school items, they go out of stock so fast because people buy tons of it, and when late comers want them, they either have to wait or go to the stationary section and pay higher prices for named brands. Its crazy, but store directors put a huge emphasis on the bullseye section due to this fact.
I am obsessed with Target because I have been in rural Oklahoma my whole life and the nearest one is 50 miles away. All we have is Walmart and a Local "employee" owned supermarket that hikes the prices up $4
I stopped shopping at Walmart for a couple reasons. 1, all the Walmarts by me had their cafes right by the door. Which means you’re punched in the face by the putrid smell of fake ass popcorn and greasy pizza. Target had the coffee shop that was oh so welcoming. I literally felt dirty my first 5 seconds in my local Walmarts. 2, the stuff I bought at Walmart was literally made crappier and lasted much less long. So I was willing to pay a tad more for the target stuff that looked and felt higher and. And had a lifetime I could measure in years, opposed to weeks or months. 3, as previously mentioned, Walmarts are just junky and anxiety-inducing. From the very full, junky layout, to yes, sometimes the clientele. The caveat however is, over the last decade, Target has limited its options of product. You’re stuck with 1-2 choices tops. Walmart will indeed often have more variety. Target also very frustratingly has understaffed checkouts.
I defintely go shopping for retail therapy. My life is so miserable but when Im browsing a store I feel like im taking care of myself. Like im valuing myself.
I have a Walmart that's closer (I used to have a Kmart that was even closer) and I've never had a strong enough preference for any of them to be willing to drive further. I don't even go to the Walmart often - just when I need something really random that I don't know where else to buy.
As an American who doesn't like shopping in general - including shopping at Target - I've always been baffled by what strong hold Target has over some of my cousins and roommate, and how even I can walk in there and come out with more than I what I was looking. It always felt like some sort of strange dark magic. Thanks for the breakdown, I feel more in the loop now.
By contrast, shopping at Walmart always made me feel overwhelmed and claustrophobic, even though the one near us is a bigger building than the Target near us. It's one of the most depressing places I've ever been in. I admit I always did find the stores very different but could never put my finger on why.
They have adopted a lot of the merchandising that caused people to despise J C Penney (particularly on their mall store upper floors!) High shelves formed into a maze to keep you from going directly in or out of the department (which have no distinct boundaries). There seems to be an idea that if you can make people feel disoriented and trapped, you will keep stuffing things into a cart. As soon as it becomes a chore, I work my way to the checkout! At least one doesn't have to look for the hidden down escalator!
Due to the connotation of target being a high-end walmart it began the saying "you spend a little more in Target so you don't go into a Walmart"
It’s crazy how Target’s expansion into Canada only lasted like 18 months. Then a lot of abondoned Target stores became Walmart’s 😬
Just like Starbucks in Europe.😂
A big part of the reason for Target Canada’s failure was they had a deal to buy/lease a ton of cheap stores across all of Canada. So instead of slowly rolling out Target stores in a couple Canadian cities and then across the country later they tried speed running it at all of these stores. With that, they weren’t able to focus on the differences for Canada and instead made the costly assumption that the Canada market is the same as the US market. All that saying the physical stores played a major role in Target failing.
I really appreciate how you transitioned the video into a conversation about overconsumption and environmental waste.
I do enjoy shopping at target but I focus on quality and function and try to avoid overconsumption. If I buy any decorations, I intend for it to last years upon years and not so much that it'll crowd my house.
My daughter's toys however, are a different matter that I am guilty of.
Listened to this while in target for oat milk
I HATE how Walmart doesn’t have oat milk where I am at!
always thought of target as classy wal-mart, got my favourite pair of converse and a couple pairs of awesome pants, I miss target canada, but Giant Tiger is always the greatest adventure
All I know is they ain’t got as much as Walmart and they are considerably more expensive to shop at.
two other huge points I'd tack on: Target has its own credit card service, which is kinda unique (IKEA has one too but most other retailers don't) and also they treat their employees pretty well for retail. of course experiences with that sort of thing vary from employee to employee, but I don't think Walmart has given bonus checks to its employees, not to mention they raised starting pay to $15 an hour before Amazon did.
The yellow bar during the ad is a nice and welcome addition, congrats to the one that came up with that
I always say, “it’s better than going to Walmart “✌🏼
😂😂💯
It’s cause it’s basically Walmart in fancier packaging; that’s literally it
Target is Walmart but the shoppers wear actual clothes instead of pajamas
@@BeersAndBeatsPDX LITERALLY. It’s just a more aesthetically pleasant place to shop
Hell no target is expensive
Before covid my sister and friend went to Florida for vaycay, we are from Sweden and let me tell you that we were in Target for 4 hours!!!!! We loved every moment lol, it is like Ikea but it was much more fun. Idk if it's because America has many brands that is hard to lay our hands on in Sweden but we just laughed when we realised just how much time we spent there. And we returned to, Starbucks is quite foreign to us afterall and we like to make fun of just how bad the coffee is. AAhhhh good times man.
Target used to have a garden section and sold fresh Christmas trees during the holidays. 🎄
Not being able to turn tight corners at Walmart meanwhile getting sandwiched between other customers makes me wanna cry when I’m done shopping. And seriously screw those shoppers that go into the self checkout from where you’re supposed to LEAVE. Then you’re just stuck in the middle of everyone waiting for a spot
This makes me want to go to Target. But this is probably not much different than the department stores in my country France.
I just see that they hace much more various and cool things in the decoration aisle, especially the ones that don't get renewed.
Also I wish we had DollaTree but it's another story.
Are used to be so totally addicted to shopping… I’m so glad that I am a minimalist now!
The dollar spot was the first place I would go when I entered target
As an American who lives where there are two large department stores competing (Walmart and Meijer) I’ve never understood the Target hype behind Target and it took forever to have one anywhere close to us. I’ve been once, everything was the same as Walmart/Meijer but way more expensive.
It's pronounced Tarjey
Hahaha catch Levi saying it like that at 5:25 😂
I 100% prefer Target and Publix. I am sooo much more happy shopping at Target and Publix (and at peace) stores
About the impulsive shopping…I used to have trouble with it, now I keep my receipts and learn store return policy. I buy what I want so I don’t have the stress of thinking about it in store, then I return it if I get buyers regret or change my mind (happens about half the time). Helps me, prob doesn’t help the environment if they see sales go up
The smell when you first walk into target is unmatched. Especially when they have fresh popcorn at the entrance.
My momma and I used to only go to target because it was always a headache trying to get around walmart
Walmart's less user-friendly huh?
@@FutureProofTV it’s bad. The wal-mart by me is always dirty, there’s always extra stuff in the aisles and way too crowded feeling. After 2020 hit, I really don’t like the feeling of being around so many people and dirty looking places make me much more nervous. They also don’t treat staff as well at Walmart.
The whole purpose of stores is to sell us things, so why would Target enthusiasts be upset that you said Target is better at selling things? ;) I definitely like shopping at Target better (I KNEW there was something up with those carts!) but typically only go to our Target a couple times a year for a small list of items I couldn't find elsewhere. I'll keep schlepping along behind Aldi and Walmart carts that always have one wheel going a different direction if it means I can save hundreds of dollars each year and get a full body workout without paying for a gym membership.
Awesome video, as usual, Thank you!
Thanks for joining us here!!!
I live in the land of Target. Their precursor, Dayton’s, was always a great experience too.
Target stores in my area all have harsh lighting, drives me nuts. My advice is stick to your shopping list. I only go there because I recently learned from a friend they're expanding the non-plastic-wrapped deodorants and Shampoos bars. One of the few places near me where I can shop for those items.
When I was like 4 or 5 we went into a Walmart and said “Walmart is a big nasty target” so that’s one comparison I think people can agree on
Yeah lots of people have commented ceiling height and overall size being a huge factor as to why Walmart creates a more anxiety-inducing shopping experience!
@@FutureProofTV one thing for me is the constant dodging of people pushing carts down through tight aisles. It always seems someone is right behind me in a rush. It kinda gives me a slight anxiety. It’s hard to look for what you need when you are blocking people or people are blocking you. Not only that but Walmart tends to run out of supplies, I’ve been a couple times to Walmart where they run out of milk, I went yesterday to buy cilantro and green onions and they were out of both, so I had to make another stop.
As a resident from other side of the world I finally am starting to get why people over in USA are pursuing minimalism as a life style. This is wild what people are getting bombarded to spend their precious money and more importantly time on.
To Australian, Target is just an upscaled Kmart which is thriving in Australia for selling craps at very cheap prices. One of things surprised me when I visited the US is that Kmart is nearly dead in the US and Target USA is basically Colworths + Kmart of Australia.
Not true for me. I get a dopamine hit by saving money and refusing to spend money.
When I was about 12, they built a Target within walking/biking distance from my house (it did involve travelling along a busy road and the sidewalk wasn't built yet, but I could make do on the grass). It was pretty amazing because the only other real place that I could go to spend my money that I could access on my own were little things like a White Hen Pantry (convenience store) or a random local hardware store. Suddenly I had access to that huge variety of random stuff. It was the year the Jurassic Park film came out, so you can bet I bought some Jurassic Park stuff there. Later around Halloween I shoplifted one of those Halloween Ambiance tapes. I also randomly decided to try the café (before it was Starbucks of Pizza Hut it was just the Target café. I bought a bagel and cream cheese, and it was Philadelphia cream cheese in one of those squeeze packets, but it was frozen so solid that I was tearing up my bagel trying to spread it.
Target has some of the most badass Halloween decorations, and affordable Halloween supplies. I go to Target twice a year. Once to grab the best Halloween stuff early, and again Nov 1st to empty out the clearance section.
For years i steadfastly refused to go to Target stores. Guess it helped that there none convenient to where I live. Then they tore down a decrepit collection of buildings that operated as a flea market, and replaced it with a Target. It was in a location that I passed just about every day. I still didn’t go in.
Then I needed something, and an online search, should target to be the closest place with the item for a reasonable price.
Damn! I was impressed with how well lit, well organized/laid out the place was. Everything you mentioned about the store layout in your video is absolutely true. Even what you said about their carts! LoL! Although, I never would’ve thought of it, if your video had not mentioned it.
However, when I go to target, now it is because I am looking for a specific item, I have looked up with their smart phone app. What the price is, verified that it’s in stock, and determine exactly where in the store it’s located.
Guess I’m not a shopping addict!
Target is definitely a nice store. I feel comfortable going there. But I do more window shopping than actually buying something there. I shop at Walmart more because prices are cheaper and they have more selection. Sure, Walmart is kinda dirtier and the shopping experience isn't so great. But I want to save some money and buy something I need that is more likely to be available at Walmart than Target. Just mind your own business, ignore the people, and you're good
A thing I do for my mom who is immunocompromised now is go to that $1 cheap section at Target on a video call with her, and she shops and picks out stuff lol.
Okay well that's freakin sweet 😳
My local Wal-Mart doesn't have fake rooms but they do display their furniture on top of the shelves their inventory is on so you can see what it looks like set up, Staples is the same way.
When I go shopping I go threw out the store and grab all the things I want, and talk myself out of those items, so I only get the useful items, I get that short thrill by picking those items off the shelf, and walking around with them for awhile.
I'm just addicted to micro-plastics
😂 honestly at this point they're in everyone's system anyway
Personally i despise Target & rather shop at Walmart (only for the basics) - both stores have cheap fast fashion clothes, china made crap that is over priced at Target,...
Walmart is only for basics - prescriptions, paper goods, some office supplies, kitchen & bath, batteries,... And I am spending less there than at Target. Now that Target has become soooo woke, I'll never support them ever again! I truly believe the addage " go woke, go broke"!
I don’t know what people mean by Target being “woke.” I buy laundry detergent and such there, because they have what I want. Whatever they are doing that people hate, I haven’t noticed.
Last time I went there, I had a white elephant gift card to spend. Thank goodness I got that experience over with.
I love cartwheel and how fast target pickup is compared to Walmart in my town. They also sell things like oat milk, which Walmart doesn’t even have! I can usually get things for less expensive there than at Walmart. And their brands of clothing usually have a one year return guarantee. It comes in handy when my kid blows through the knees in all his pants 😂
Woah, this is the second or third comment we've seen mentioning how WalMart doesn't sell oat milk (foreshadowing for next week's video? 👀) - thanks for sharing, Sarah!
@@FutureProofTV ooh I look forward to it! Love your videos, they really make me reflect on my own consumerism and even curb it to some extent ❤
The Walmart where I live JUST recently got oat milk like a few months ago...
As a Canadian who was living in Toronto, I was sad that Target Canada came and went before I could even shop there. (There were no Targets in downtown Toronto) I had heard all the hype for years from our neighbors to the south. However, now that I live in California and have been to Target many times, I don't understand why it's so popular. To me, it's like a trash(ier) version of Walmart, just branded in red and white. (not that I love Walmart!) The Targets that I've been to look more like discount outlet stores with some shelves half empty. I've never left a Target satisfied. I've never experienced "the Target effect". Maybe it's just the stores near me? 🤔
Suburbs goes with their image (can carry more in your car afterall) but as a fellow Canadian, I also don't get what the hype is.
Prices were nothing special and neither was the inventory/selection.
@@SilverSamurai12 Yeah, exactly! 🤷
@ForeverDreamWithinADream Yeah, that was my expectation too 🤷