Deadly Sin at Christmas

Target, Bondi Junction.  Without overstating it, it is NOT a good look when you are out of stock at any time, yet alone Christmas (last Sunday afternoon).  You cannot make sales without stock, and it really annoys time-poor shoppers.  #FAIL

Mrs Claus gets Marked Down

Target, Bondi.  I was amused to see how many people stopped to have a look at this product, placed cleverly at the entrance to the fitting rooms.  Perhaps it was the 'hotspot' lighting, or perhaps it was blokes trying to persuade their partners .. .there weren't many takers.... either way, it looks like Mrs Claus has been marked down this season :)

A Retail Nightmare

Target, Bondi Junction.   The footwear department last Sunday afternoon - looks like a bomb has hit it.  I thought they must be re-merchandising but couldn't see a staff member anywhere. Perhaps messy kids or messy parents or both ?   Looks a bit like my office desk :P  

The Not-So Fine Print

Target, Bondi Junction.  Not a good look, running out of toner/ink - or is it a limited time only offer ? ;)

Good old fashioned catalogue

The train, North Shore.  Interesting to see this Gen Y passenger work her way through a few retail catalogues on her train journey- Target, KMart.  It is worth remembering that, despite the focus on newer 'sexier'  digital technologies,  many retailers and shoppers still find catalogues useful.

Target Pop Up Store - well, pops

Martin Place, Sydney CBD. Underwhelming was the overall impression.  Looked interesting from the outside but very sparse range inside, very pokey, ironically too many staff.  Not sure they generated enough awareness for it, either, and no clear use of the word 'Target' on the outside.  Also, the proposition of a the gift purchase proceeds going to charity was not well communicated.

Target's Down at Heel Christmas

Target, Broadway.  You have to be impressed with Target's attention to detail, with this decal on the floor of their store.  Not everyone will notice it (as per any medium), but given the low cost it doesn't take many to be reminded for this to pay off.  As it was, I was coming from the opposite direction.  

 

Trying, very trying

Target, Broadway.  This sends mixed messages - in the end it becomes too hard for the customer when there are no testers available. You can't sell fragrance without testing.  Very trying.

An Admirable Goal

Target, East Gardens.  An admirable goal for this retailer - do YOU think they deliver ?

Hey Kids, get Mum to buy you this!

Target, Broadway. All the necessary cues to get the kids to get Mum and Dad to buy them stuff - the POS on the security bollards, POS promotional display in front and the product display (Disney books) on the left. Mum and Dad have no chance of surviving this unscathed :) I saw a child from every single family go over to the display in the 5 minutes or so I was observing.....

Target misses the target

Target, Broadway. I generally enjoy shopping at Target. However, on a Sunday afternoon, at a fairly busy shopping period, I came across three examples in a short space of time of out-of-stocks. These are the kiss-of-death for a retailer - something they teach in Retailing.101.

They obviously make it hard to make a sale - you can't sell space. They dilute the impact of the display of the in-stock items - the eye needs symmetry and people seek out 'abundance'. And finally, they annoy shoppers looking for promoted items. Managers need to focus on 'recovery' and replenishment. It's simple.

Target executes kidswear well

Target Broadway.  A good example of how Target have translated the storewide 'Every Colour You can Dream of' concept for their childrenswear category.  Apart from the obvious focus on colour the use of the POS as reminder is a good link back to the entrance of the store.

Target's Bullseye

Great Target in-store graphics, Broadway. High impact in large busy store.

Target does Broadway

Target, Broadway.  In my view Target are one of the best exponents of in-store graphics to bring their brand to life.  This is but one example, and they change them out reasonably frequently - about once a quarter or season.  It helps lift the in-store experience but is light on the capital expenditure budget.

TARGET ON TARGET

Target, Broadway.  I was impressed by this Target campaign - 'every colour you can dream of '. It is a great antidote to all the dull trans-seasonal colours out there (blacks, greys and browns).  Also, it has been executed well throughout the store, changing the whole feel of the store.  I think Target are exceptional at using graphics and colours to change the look and feel of their stores in a low-cost (not capex-intensive) manner.  Something other retailers can learn from.

TARGET GETS CLEVER

Target, Broadway, Toy Sale starts 24 Jul. Tear-off sheets with opportunities to pre-order specified toy packages obviously gets the sale asap, rewards the most dedicated customers, and manages inventory, avoiding stock-outs.

URGENCY SELLS

Target, East Gardens. Displays shows good 'urgency' at front of store - pulled me in, but I was more disciplined than usual :)

TARGET ON TARGET

Target, Broadway.  Very strong offer at entrance.  I have to confess I didn't make it past the DVDs at $6.99 !  Mind you, most women would have spotted the very aggressive bra and brief offer first.  Target remains highly relevant in today's market, and in my opinion in tune with customers' mindsets.

Target on speed

Sped up x 4 view of Target shoppers shows traffic flows through womenswear department.  Chatswood, Westfield. Thursday lunch time.

ON TARGET

Impactful in store graphic Target Bondi