No Target Thread???

[My 2 princesses]

Well I did go and what a zoo it was!!! I was very impressed with the Disney merchandise though. Loving the variety. Now to apply for the RED card.

 

[damo]

I went tonight too. Lots of people but it was very well organized. Selection and prices were good. I was really glad to see lots of the same lines as the US stores.

 

[coastgirl]

Pout. We won't see one in Halifax until September...

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

Pout. We won't see one in Halifax until September...

They picked the ODDEST places to open their first three stores. You'd think they'd be in Toronto, but no. Guelph I can at least sort of understand, it's a small city. But Milton is smaller and Fergus is barely a town.

 

[coastgirl]

We used to live in Brampton, so I recognize the towns you mention...Milton is driving distance from Toronto, right? So it's going to catch some of those shoppers (the determined ones)--oh wait, that was the last Go-train stop when we were there, so not exactly Mississauga. Fergus? Last time we were there it was all quaint b&b's and craft shops...

 

[My 2 princesses]

I'm sure they are glad they did not pick bigger cities as the line ups at the check outs were huge.........I can't even begin to tell you how huge it was and yet there were tons of cashiers AND self serves. They pulled in staff from other locations to help out. Imagine if it was Square 1 or an TO location? Oh and there have been reports from people travelling far to get to these locations. They had no sales flyers and yet they had huge line ups - they must have made a killing yesterday and I'm only talking about the Milton store.

 

[My 2 princesses]

We used to live in Brampton, so I recognize the towns you mention...Milton is driving distance from Toronto, right? So it's going to catch some of those shoppers (the determined ones)--oh wait, that was the last Go-train stop when we were there, so not exactly Mississauga. Fergus? Last time we were there it was all quaint b&b's and craft shops...

Milton now has a GO stop, so your right, if someone is determined to check it out from TO, it's a GO ride away Brampton is driving distance and Missisauga is just 10 mins away on the 401. Besides the distribution center is in Milton, so I'm guessing that's why they opened there first. Guelph probably to get the University kids Fergus I have no clue where it is, but I'm guessing these 3 places were the 'guinea pigs' of what's to come.

 

[jennyjinx3]

I went in Milton....it was fun!! Love Target!

 

[SaraMc]

I work in retail and I got to say I think its smart that they opened the first three stores in smaller markets. First of all, they are soft openings so all the kinks are not out yet. This is good for training and to make sure all the computer systems are working like they are supposed to. POS's don't always work correctly even when they are new. Milton is a growing area that is being called the new Mississauga with the housing and development going on there. Lots of retailers have gone there and are doing well. Same with Guelph. Had they opened some of their stores that are in larger markets like Sq 1's location and the computers crashed the amount of people that would be upset compared to a smaller location is a big consideration. Retail always works on forecasting based on previous sales and trends. Target isnt Zellers, they have no idea what the traffic is going to be like and what sales are going to truly be like for a while.
That being said, I think Im going for a drive to Milton today to see the store.

 

[damo]

I work in retail and I got to say I think its smart that they opened the first three stores in smaller markets. First of all, they are soft openings so all the kinks are not out yet. This is good for training and to make sure all the computer systems are working like they are supposed to. POS's don't always work correctly even when they are new. Milton is a growing area that is being called the new Mississauga with the housing and development going on there. Lots of retailers have gone there and are doing well. Same with Guelph. Had they opened some of their stores that are in larger markets like Sq 1's location and the computers crashed the amount of people that would be upset compared to a smaller location is a big consideration. Retail always works on forecasting based on previous sales and trends. Target isnt Zellers, they have no idea what the traffic is going to be like and what sales are going to truly be like for a while.
That being said, I think Im going for a drive to Milton today to see the store.

Park over by Shopper's Drug Mart. The other side of the mall is crazy with a dead end lane where everyone had to do a 3 point turn to get out, not realizing it was a dead end.

The check-out line seemed huge but we were through in 5 minutes. I've waited longer at Wal-Mart on a normal day.

I wish Fergus was a bit closer. I would imagine the selection there would be much better. That said, I was impressed at what was still left by last night at the Milton store.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Park over by Shopper's Drug Mart. The other side of the mall is crazy with a dead end lane where everyone had to do a 3 point turn to get out, not realizing it was a dead end.

The check-out line seemed huge but we were through in 5 minutes. I've waited longer at Wal-Mart on a normal day.

I wish Fergus was a bit closer. I would imagine the selection there would be much better. That said, I was impressed at what was still left by last night at the Milton store.

This! There is a secret parking lot if you take the back driveway as if you are going to go behind Winners. As you get to the back of Winners there is a little parking lot entrance on the right.

 

[M2B]

Ours doesn't open until July. Do the prices seem to be at least comparable to those in the US?

 

[damo]

Ours doesn't open until July. Do the prices seem to be at least comparable to those in the US?

They aren't bad at all. A pair of Denizen Jeans in the US Target was $27.99. They were $29.99 in the Canadian Target.

 

[M2B]

They aren't bad at all. A pair of Denizen Jeans in the US Target was $27.99. They were $29.99 in the Canadian Target.

Good news! If ours opens in July like it's supposed to back to school shopping will be done at Target.

 

[Tower]

I'll keep my money at Canadian Stores.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

I'll keep my money at Canadian Stores.

This is an admirable sentiment, and one I'm sure most DISers would agree with--even the ones who shop at Target.
I'm willing to pay a small premium to Canadian retailers to keep my money in Canada. However, I will not accept paying 30%-70% more (in some cases it's even a hundred percent Canadian markup). There is no reason for it with the dollar close to parity.
"But...economies of scale!"
Except what is it, 85% of Canadians live within a hundred miles of the U.S. border? Most of this stuff has travelled thousands of miles from China already, what's another hundred miles? An eyeblink. I can understand why an apple would cost an arm and a leg in Iqaluit. I can't understand why something should cost twice as much in Sarnia as it does in Port Huron. Until Canadian retailers accept this and start charging reasonable prices, they are doomed to play second fiddle to the American retailers who offer price and selection.

 

[kuhltiffany]

I've been to both the Guelph and Fergus stores. Same stuff. Stores are not fully stocked though, still about 1/3 empty. Lots of suits running around from different stores, learning so that when their stores open they will have an idea what to expect.

Prices are all over the place, (some better, some worse than Walmart) you really have to know to compare.

I applied for the Red Card a few weeks ago but haven't heard anything yet. The 5% off will be nice. I'm hoping like in the US that it will apply to everything including gift cards, guess we'll wait and see...

 

[My 2 princesses]

I've been to both the Guelph and Fergus stores. Same stuff. Stores are not fully stocked though, still about 1/3 empty. Lots of suits running around from different stores, learning so that when their stores open they will have an idea what to expect.

Prices are all over the place, (some better, some worse than Walmart) you really have to know to compare.

I applied for the Red Card a few weeks ago but haven't heard anything yet. The 5% off will be nice. I'm hoping like in the US that it will apply to everything including gift cards, guess we'll wait and see...

I just applied for the Red Card last week and I asked about GC's and they said no. I also did not see Disney GC's for sale at the store and that's what I was really looking forward to save. Good thing we almost always fly out of Buffalo so we can now atleast use our cards there to buy the Disney GC's befor our trip.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Our local store opens next month and looking forward to it! Not expecting US prices but hoping they're competitive and also some of the brands/variety not at other stores will be here.

Will know soon.....

 

[jennyjinx3]

I just applied for the Red Card last week and I asked about GC's and they said no. I also did not see Disney GC's for sale at the store and that's what I was really looking forward to save. Good thing we almost always fly out of Buffalo so we can now atleast use our cards there to buy the Disney GC's befor our trip.

I was planning on paying off the balance of our room only reservations in cash, but if I purchase the gift cards in Buffalo prior to the trip, I can pay it off with those instead, and earn the 5% back on my Red card??