Target is getting a jump on holiday sales by gifting online shoppers with free shipping on all Target.com orders placed from now until Dec. 20. Free shipping, a first for the company, may just be the spending incentive that helps Target bounce back from last year’s data breach, and lure shoppers away from competitors. Currently, Walmart offers free shipping on orders over $50, while Amazon.com’s Prime membership for $99 a year includes free delivery.
Additionally, more than 65,000 items are now available for store pickup on Target.com and 80 percent of orders are fulfilled within one hour, making it easier for shoppers to make their holiday purchases through Christmas Eve. And for the third year, Target is extending its price match policy for the holiday season beyond the typical seven-day period. The retailer will match prices of qualifying items at Target between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 if a shopper finds it for less on Target.com, a local competitor’s printed ad or at select online retailers.
Brian Cornell, Target chairman of the board and CEO, said, “Target is poised to deliver an unparalleled holiday shopping season. We’ve been building capabilities that put us in a strong starting position, including the right digital tools and a broad assortment of unique, on-trend merchandise.” He added, “Our value proposition will be unrivaled, with compelling promotions and an exceptional shopping experience online and in our stores.”
Part of Target’s digital goodie bag includes a Wish List app, a modern version of traditional holiday wish lists for parents and kids, set to launch Oct. 31. Parents can share their children’s Wish List digitally to friends and relatives and save 10 percent on items on that list on one day of their choosing before Nov. 26. The retailer said it will also improve its mobile and tablet apps with interactive store maps and shopping lists and aims to streamline the checkout process with Apple Pay.
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And call it a Christmas miracle—shoppers in the Big Apple will get a rare chance to shop Target goods in downtown New York City, thanks to a partnership with Story, the Manhattan-based retailer that has carved a unique niche in the world of pop-up shops by reinventing itself, from merchandise to store design, every four to eight weeks. Beginning Nov. 4, Story will handpick a selection of holiday “treasures” from Target, alongside its other popular items for the season. Target chief merchandising and supply chain officer Kathee Tesija said, “Working with Story will give holiday shoppers in Manhattan a new way to discover Target’s brand and products.” She added, “This unique concept will also provide a testing ground for us to continue to understand how merchandising and product curation influences our guests.”