Target Looks To Win More Customers With Price-Matching

Over the last Christmas spending season, the Target store chain enacted a policy of matching the prices of its most noteworthy competitors (read: Wal-Mart) in an effort to attract more customers. And despite the fact that this policy didn’t attract the numbers it sought after all of the post-holiday tallies, the retail chain announced last Tuesday that it would begin matching competitor’s prices all year round. According to a recent news release,

“it has decided to keep the bargains coming on a steady basis by matching prices found on the websites of its most important competitors: Amazon.com, Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us (See:  "Target to match prices year-round of rival retailers Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy and Toys ‘R’ Us" ). 

This means that if you purchased a “qualifying item” at Target, the retail chain will match the price from Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or Toys “R” Us’s print ads, or from their online stores. Additionally, Target has said that it would “match its own prices if a consumer buys a product in a Target store and then sees it at a lower price in the following week’s Target circular.”
This policy is the latest in a rough-n-tumble fight among the major retailers to claim a share of consumer market where we are forced to save as much as possible when making a routine purchase of any kind. However—yes, there is always a “however” when looking for the best deals—Target tends to stock specialty and exclusive brands which are only sold at the chain’s 1,700 stores, such as its current Target + Neiman collection (a partnership with luxury apparel chain Neiman Marcus). This means that you as a savvy shopper are going to have to put in some work in order to find an item that you can actually buy at a lower price after the comparison shopping.
For example, if you are looking to purchase a Playstation 3 video gaming system, Best Buy’s online store has the basic system priced as $299 (Current Listing). However, the PS3 at Target's online store is listed at the same price, but comes in a “bundled” package that also includes a copy of the hit video game Assassin’s Creed as well as a 30-day trial membership in Playstation’s “Plus” online gaming network (Current Listing).
The upshot is that despite Target's attempt to beat out competitors by way of price-matching, this does in no way mean an automatic savings for shoppers.  It still means that in order to find the best deals, you will have to continue to do what the most savvy of shoppers have always done...comparison shop!

Where To Find Post-Christmas Bargains...

It's the day after Christmas 2012, and if you're like me, you are looking for the post-Christmas Day bargains that you weren't able to find prior to the biggest spending occasion of the year. And being early morning as I write and post this piece, you are probably chomping at the bit to dash out the door to hit the ground running to look for bargains. According to retail industry experts, many retailers have already begun slashing the prices of in-stock merchandise in preparation to make room to seasonal inventory. That's a boon for customers looking for deep-cut bargains.
Taking some time to search the 'net will pay for itself insomuch as bargains. Sites like Afterchristmas2012.com are a good start.
In addition, I have taken the liberty to post whom has, and where to find the best after-Christmas Day bargains.
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Target is also offering great deals on Christmas day online along with their after Christmas sale. Target is giving away a $10 gift card when your purchase is $75 or more. This store has deals in all their departments with an emphasis on electronics with great deals on all the gadgets you might have wanted for Christmas, but didn’t get.
Target: Promo code for your $10 gift card is XMASGIFT (this is good for online only).

Best Buy is also making preparations to get in on the post-Christmas sales rush. The troubled electronics retailer is featuring several big deals, including a bargain on the Galaxy Note II, which is dropped in price to $249.99 when you sign-up for a two-year activation. Best Buy is rolling out all types of sales and deals for the day after Christmas both in the store and online. This sale starts on Dec. 26, and continues for four days. In addition to the bargains being offered by the major retailers, bargain-hunters can get even more possible savings by searching out coupons and/or promotional codes.

Kohl’s department store is offering Gold star clearance items at between 60-80% off.

Amazon.com is boasting 60% off select books (my personal favorite past time) titles.

Gordon’s Jewelers is hosting up to 70% off on clearance items – plus an extra 20 percent off if you buy online More than 1,000 pieces have been discounted for this sale, including engagement rings.

In addition, sites like Coupons.com tend to have a line on coupons which can be printed out and used in many online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
Naturally this isn't an exhaustive list of after-Christmas deals.  However, it does illustrate the point that taking a few moments to research where the best deals are can save both money and the wear-and-tear on the seat of your pants as you kick yourselves for spending more than you should.