TARGET announced the release of 20,000 new products ahead of the holiday season as competitors like Amazon push out similar deals.
The release of new products at Target and the announcement of a week of deals from October 5 to October 11 comes amid nationwide boycotts of the major retailer.
Target Circle Week will return on October 5[/caption]
On Tuesday, Target announced the release of 20,000 new items ahead of the holiday season, double the amount of products released in 2024.
Plus, over half of the items are exclusive to Target, the company said.
The brand is taking on a more affordable approach with thousands of items starting at $5 and more products ranging from apparel to beauty, decor, toys and more to be priced under $20.
Target also announced opportunities to save on merchandise during their “biggest” fall sales event: Target Circle Week.
The promotion includes savings on holiday gifts, fall styles and everyday essentials.
The event kicks off on October 5 for members of the Target Circle program, which is free to join.
Those with the paid membership Target Circle 360 program can expect early access to deals on October 4.
The company also announced an expansion of its next-day delivery to shoppers across 35 U.S. states.
Consumers will be able to get next-day delivery on hundreds of thousands of items.
Target Circle savings go beyond that week, with weekly deals starting up on November 1.
AMAZON & TARGET RACE TO GET SHOPPERS
Target’s Circle Week kicks off just days before its retail competitor Amazon launches its Prime Big Deal Days, jumpstarting the company’s holiday shopping season.
The Prime deals will take place on October 7 and October 8, with discounts on major brands like Samsung, Dyson, KitchenAid, Beats, LEGO, Clinique and Milk Makeup.
Amazon is jumpstarting its holiday deals with savings that went into effect Tuesday, including its Top 25 Early Holiday Gift Deals, a curated list of items from brands like UGG and Samsung.
Select Amazon devices for kids such as Kindles and tablets are up to 50% off for Prime members.
Consumers can also save as much as 80% on Kindle books.
To counter Amazon, Target announced some pop culture exclusives shoppers can expect to see, calling themselves the “premier retail destination,” for the final season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
The retailer will release exclusive products relating to the show including toys, apparel and home items.
Both retail giants are partnering with Universal Pictures to give exclusive, early access to “Wicked: For Good,” which premieres in theaters November 17.
What is Target Circle 360?
In April, Target launched its first-ever paid membership program, Target Circle 360.
For $99 a year, members get access to the following perks:
- Unlimited, free same-day delivery on orders over $35
- An extra 30 days to return your items
- Free two-day shipping on 100,000s of items
- 5% off in-store and online
- Automatic deals and exclusive partner perks
Amazon Prime members can be among the first to view the movie, four days before its wide release.
The company is also offering members exclusive “Wicked” merchandise, early screen ticket notifications and deals on products inspired by the movie during the Prime Big Deal Days sale.
Target is offering exclusive merchandise ahead of the film premiere, including themed toys, beauty products, apparel, collectibles and drinkware.
TARGET DISHES DEALS AMID BOYCOTT
Target’s holiday deals come as the company tries to reestablish itself after facing backlash and nationwide boycotts. The backlash came after the company announced it would conclude its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals in January.
The boycott, led by Pastor Jamal Bryant, caused nationwide store traffic slowdown.
Bryant told PBS in August that he’s committed to addressing all the corporations that backed away from their DEI policies, and is taking it one step at a time, starting with Target.
“The African American community spends upwards of $12 million a day at Target. And so we thought that the one that was the most trafficked should be the focus of our media attention,” Bryant said.
Bryant warned that diversity is in danger, especially with retailers like Target, Amazon and Walmart meeting with President Donald Trump, who has spoken out against DEI.
On Inauguration Day, the president issued an executive order ending government-funded DEI efforts.
“I think that they have held on to his admonishment more than what the consumers are clamoring to say. And so I think it’s unfortunate that it has to go this far and this long,” he said.
Fortune reported in August that Target’s foot traffic had fallen for the sixth month in a row after the January announcement.
