topic Re: Target Targets Universities in Community Chat

Target Targets Universities

Noel7 — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 18:57:32 GMT

I don't know if SF is the test run, but Target just opened one of their new smaller stores next to SFSU. They are aiming at the university population, concentrating on clothes and food.

They also adopted a nearby elementary school with a generous grant and supplies for that age group.

Our daughter went there this morning and loved it. They have other things, of course, make-up, kitchen supplies, etc. She FaceTimed me so I got to see most of the store, including the ready-made fresh food: mac & cheese, lasagna, enchiladas, portobello chicken, etc.

There are also a lot of older folks in that area. I can see them using that store, also.

It's close to a Trader Joe's store. Both Target & TJoe's figure they compliment each other since the foods are not the same, and that each one will increase sales for the other.

Re: Target Targets Universities

itsmagic — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 19:10:31 GMT

Our local university is also getting a small Target Store near the university (opening in 2019). It is supposed to give a "quick trip shopping experience". I can see it being successful as there are no stores like that within walking distance of the university.

Re: Target Targets Universities

Noel7 — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 19:38:07 GMT

@itsmagic wrote:
Our local university is also getting a small Target Store near the university (opening in 2019). It is supposed to give a "quick trip shopping experience". I can see it being successful as there are no stores like that within walking distance of the university.

Hi @itsmagic

I think it's a great idea! Just the other day on Chat, I was saying how important ready-made fresh food has become in the Bay Area. Most people don't have time to shop, prepare food and do the clean up. Or just don't want to spend their time doing that.

Re: Target Targets Universities

chrystaltree — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 21:15:23 GMT

It must be a marketing strategy for Target. There's one in the middle of the college area in Boston. It's a great Target and it caters to the student population and also to young professionals who live in the area. It has great grocery section and frozen food aisles and prepared meals. Target is opening small store in my little town, it's supposed to be an easy in-easy out concept. They worked with the town to maintain the "small town" look so that it would fit in and look like it belonged.

Re: Target Targets Universities

Noel7 — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 21:17:25 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
It must be marketing strategy for Target. There's one in the middle of the college area in Boston. It's a great Target and it caters to the student population and also to young professionals who live in the area. It has great grocery section and frozen food aisles and prepared meals.

It's a great idea, imo.

Last year, Target had a pop-up store downtown just for Christmas, specializing in holiday gear, gifts and clothes. It was just there for a couple of months, another great idea imo.

Re: Target Targets Universities

jackthebear — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 21:27:18 GMT

there's a small concept Target next town to me, it's OK

I go in and look

I don't buy consumables there HBA or household products I buy elselwhere, don't need kids stuff

there makeup is too expensive when there is a Harmon in the same plaza.

the housewares section is small/basic....I would sooner go to the cute 5&10 in town for similar

I guess you'd say I am not really a Target shopper.

Re: Target Targets Universities

physicsnut — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 00:03:20 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
there's a small concept Target next town to me, it's OK

I go in and look
I don't buy consumables there HBA or household products I buy elselwhere, don't need kids stuff
there makeup is too expensive when there is a Harmon in the same plaza.

the housewares section is small/basic....I would sooner go to the cute 5&10 in town for similar

I guess you'd say I am not really a Target shopper.

I don't shop Target either.

Re: Target Targets Universities

magicmoodz — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 00:22:34 GMT

In 2014 Target opened a small store on the University of Minnesota campus with high-rise student apartments above. My niece happens to live there.

Re: Target Targets Universities

Katcat1 — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 00:58:59 GMT

Interesting concept. Target will test it SF and see how well it is accepted. If it does well, Target will then build more stores. Target is one of my favorite stores.

Re: Target Targets Universities

PINKdogWOOD — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 18:30:10 GMT

There's a Target within walking distance to campus at Ohio State, literally a 5 minute walk. When all 10K of the student dorm population moves in, anything they forget are referred to Target, righ across the street. This Target is huge and has been there for years. Everything they need and then some, food included for apartment dwellers.

Re: Target Targets Universities

Mominohio — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 19:12:00 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
there's a small concept Target next town to me, it's OK

I go in and look
I don't buy consumables there HBA or household products I buy elsewhere, don't need kids stuff
there makeup is too expensive when there is a Harmon in the same plaza.

the housewares section is small/basic....I would sooner go to the cute 5&10 in town for similar

I guess you'd say I am not really a Target shopper.

I've never cared for Target.

Our local store is really nice, clean, open, light etc. But is seems half empty and there really isn't much choice.

My son got a gift certificate one year when he was in middle school, and couldn't find a thing he was interested in buying.

I've tried, just don't care for it!

Re: Target Targets Universities

ALRATIBA — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 19:37:42 GMT

There's quite a Target boycott going on ... so I can understand them going after the college crowd.

Re: Target Targets Universities

Noel7 — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 19:41:20 GMT

@magicmoodz wrote:
In 2014 Target opened a small store on the University of Minnesota campus with high-rise student apartments above. My niece happens to live there.

@magicmoodz

I think it's a great idea, it makes it so much easier on students... and their parents who end up mailing a lot of stuff to their student in college

Re: Target Targets Universities

Noel7 — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 19:47:07 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
There's quite a Target boycott going on ... so I can understand them going after the college crowd.

@ALRATIBA

The boycott has made no difference in Target sales. In fact, their sales increased when the boycott began.

I did a google search update and the only reports that claim any impact are political sites, not credible news reports.

Re: Target Targets Universities

ALRATIBA — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:02:01 GMT

@Noel7

I don't pay much attention to the media ... I go to the source.

I won't go any big discussion ... but take a look at their 2016 Annual Report financial summary... down across the board vs 2015.

Re: Target Targets Universities

Noel7 — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:05:35 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
@Noel7

I don't pay much attention to the media ... I go to the source.

I won't go any big discussion ... but take a look at their 2016 Annual Report financial summary... down across the board vs 2015.

@ALRATIBA

I hope you realize that is true for all large stores, some others are even closing hundreds of stores.

All reports have shown that is a result of online shopping, as with Amazon.

I would appreciate it if you do not bring more politics into this discussion, I'm sure you are aware of the rule against it and know you can take down an entire line by turning it political.

Re: Target Targets Universities

pitdakota — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:09:36 GMT

Sounds like that could be a good move for Target. College kids need a store to purchase various items that are close, so it may end up being a great move on their part.

Re: Target Targets Universities

SilleeMee — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:39:50 GMT

Now that's pretty cool. We don't have them here yet but maybe in the near future. We have those Walmart Express stores here right now.

Re: Target Targets Universities

Noel7 — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:56:31 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Now that's pretty cool. We don't have them here yet but maybe in the near future. We have those Walmart Express stores here right now.

@SilleeMee

What is a Walmart Express store? Just a smaller version of Walmart?

We don't have any Walmarts near here. The closest one I know of is about an hour's drive from the city.

There is a small Costco in town, the city officials are against big box stores. I can see why, we are surrounded on three sides by water and the forth side is a line to a different county.

Re: Target Targets Universities

SilleeMee — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 21:16:50 GMT

@Noel7,

They are very similar to Walgreens stores. There's a pharmacy, a grocery section, deli, coin-op services, check cashing, small garden center and ATM. They are called "Walmart Neighborhood Markets". We have three stores here and they vary slightly on what they offer and sell. They stay open until midnight or close to that.