Walmart vs Target

[J. Roger]

Target is about to open stores in Canada.

How do they compare to Walmart in the sporting goods/tool/auto/shavingbiggrin1 departments?


Is one seen as higher-end?

 

[p.m.a.]

They are both evil incarnate

 

[indytechnerd]

Here in Hoosierland, the Walmarts beat Target hands down in all 4 departments. Target, around here anyway, has very little in the way of sporting goods beyond golf accessories and team sports goods. One aisle is the entirety of their camping/fishing gear, and you won't find any hunting/shooting gear. For tools and auto, Maybe 4 aisles total at Target, would fit inside the tire section of a Walmart. The final subject, arguably the most important considering where we are posting: I have never seen anything for wetshaving at a brick and mortar Target store in Indiana. They have some aftershaves, but mostly the mainstream stuff, never seen Clubman there.

If I need any of the items you mention, I steer clear of Target, because it's just a waste of time.

Target does have WAY nicer clothing for everyday wear, I'm a big fan of their C9 Champion branded goods, especially their golf shirts. I don't buy any clothing at Walmart.

Higher-end? YMMV.

 

[dklaiman]

In the 4 departments you mentioned, Walmart is likely better than Target (sporting goods may be a push, at least in MN). I think Target is higher end than Walmart on clothing and household items. Personally, I prefer Target to Walmart for almost everything.

 

[Commander Quan]

Walmart is way better for people watching. That's pretty much the only reason I go out into public.

 

[Jut]

our target has big red balls in the parking lot, walmart does not...for whatever that is worth.

to wit:

 

[gaseousclay]

our target has big red balls in the parking lot, walmart does not...for whatever that is worth.

to wit:

View attachment 311840

Walmart should compete and get big blue balls in their parking lot

 

[mretzloff]

I do not like Target. They are essentially Walmart (common household items at low prices), but try to be fancy. I do most of my shopping on Amazon, but will occasionally get some items at Walmart.

 

[Nick Danger]

Walmart is way better for people watching. That's pretty much the only reason I go out into public.

That's so true. There is no "People of Target" web site, but there is for Walmart:

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/photos

In general, I try not to shop at either. I prefer to support neighborhood stores or small businesses with online shops rather than corporate giants.

Nick

 

[Arcadies]

I rarely shop at either these days, although I used to prefer Target as they were a bit less hypocritical/anal as Walmart with their policies. Like refusing to sell explicit label compact discs, yet 1-2 aisles over they sell R rated movies and M rated video games. I just shop for most stuff online now and I haven't purchased a physical CD in 10-15 years.

 

[Toothpick]

If i had to choose it would be Target. the shaving dept. at target has better selection. but it sounds like each target is different in the shaving department. Here's what you will get at Target that you wont get at walmart: friendly service, fast checkouts, employees that look alive, things on sale.

Target actually puts groceries and other goods on sale and i've never seen anything on sale at Walmart.

Fast checkouts is a big plus, they will actually call for back up if the lines get +3 people in them. And each cashier is rated Green or Red, if they are not fast enough checking you out they get a RED. They system has a timer, and based of how long it takes you to ring up a certain amount of items. and if they get to many REDs they will get "coached" and encouraged to ring quicker, but not at the sacrifice of service. Which you are checking out so beyond "hi how are you" and a smile what service do you need besides get me out of here quickly. I used to be the Guest Service Team Lead (basically a customer service manager) at Target many moons ago.

Target is also known for donating money to their local community, such as giving money to schools. Each Target has a board on display (should at least) that will tell you what schools and how much money they have given. They have gotten awards for the innovative and fun gift card designs (and many retailers followed in their foot steps) and back when they came out with the color coded rings for their prescription bottles it was a HUGE deal, they even won some awards for that.

Personally I can not say the same for Walmart and have never heard of them doing anything but throwing an item in the middle of a table full of "suits" and saying "who can make this the cheapest". To me Walmart has already flooded the market and brainwashed everyone so all they have to do is open the doors and people will come and buy. I avoid walmart at all costs.

 

[EvilGobi]

I live in a border town so I shop at Walmart in both Canada and the US and there is a huge difference even between the US and Canadian Walmarts. I find that in the US there is way more selection. I'll have to wait until I get to a Canadian Target before I can make any sort of comparison.

 

[J. Roger]

...There is no "People of Target" web site, but there is for Walmart:

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/photos

UGGGGGGGGGGGG!


Well, at least if the customer service is better, then it will be worth it.

Walmart and the other Borgs have already killed most of the mom and pops here in the past 20 years, so hopefully Target will offer different product lines.

Are their layouts similar or are they more open?

In my neck of the woods, there were two Woolcos that were converted to Walmarts about 20 years ago. One kept the old layout the other rebuilt with the "new and improved" layout with skinny aisles with merchandise packed up to the ceiling. I hate going to the new one, it feels like I'm entering a cave system. I rather go 10 minutes out of my way to the old one than go spelunking in the new one.

 

[smalltank]

When I lived in North Hollywood, Ca..Walmart was a short trip...since moving from there it isnt even an option to go..always had great stuff from there...Target is nearby...always creeped me out...items seemed subpar..+1 on Walmart

 

[cdhumiston]

Out here our Wal-Marts attract a low class obnoxious crowd. And I'm not bashing peoples income level, I'm talking about the way they act in public. I can't stand to be in Wal-Mart for more than 5 or 10 minutes!

 

[Dewaine]

People of Walmart.

 

[California Cajun]

I haven't had much luck with Target over the years. They are pricier and their selection is more limited. Walmart has downsized and gotten higher but it still beats Target.

 

[mretzloff]

Out here our Wal-Marts attract a low class obnoxious crowd. And I'm not bashing peoples income level, I'm talking about the way they act in public. I can't stand to be in Wal-Mart for more than 5 or 10 minutes!

It is the same over here. I am not sure about the income levels, but the Walmarts here always attract people who dress like slobs, are loud, and obnoxious.

 

[ackvil]

Down here the only good thing about Target is their clothing - if you like their style. Their sporting goods, automotive, and tool department are a joke. The last time I was in Target I could not find any fishing line, hooks, or camping gear. Although Wal-Mart is not one of my favorites at least they carry a decent line of merchandise in the sporting goods, automotive, and tool departments.

Neither carries anything in the way of shaving.

 

[Legion]

Down here the only good thing about Target is their clothing - if you like their style. Their sporting goods, automotive, and tool department are a joke. The last time I was in Target I could not find any fishing line, hooks, or camping gear. Although Wal-Mart is not one of my favorites at least they carry a decent line of merchandise in the sporting goods, automotive, and tool departments.

Neither carries anything in the way of shaving.

Kind of the same in Australia. The Target clothing is not too bad, for cheap department store clothing. I had a girlfriend who was quite good on the sewing machine. I would buy business and casual shirts from Target, and she would tailor them a little bit to be more fitted. They looked like shirts that cost ten times the price with a bit of work.

Sadly, I do not have the required skills to do that myself.

We don't have Wal-mart. We do have a few "people of Wal-mart"...