Clearance Alert: Rodarte for Target

I've been to two Target stores this weekend, and both of them had the Rodarte for Target line marked down to 50% off. Looks they didn't even bother to start with the 30%, and instead went straight to the half-off markdown! Online, the few Rodarte items that are left are mostly still full-price (with just a couple marked down) so if you want any "deals" it's best to hunt for the Rodarte in-store.

Pictured: the item I found in multiples on the clearance rack - the Lace Pink Floral Halter Dress.

Plaid, plaid, everywhere...

As I first wrote about back in August - and then again in October - I'm not sure whether I can personally jump on the "plaid bandwagon". And yet, it continues to be a major fashion trend as we head into Spring. Target's lastest installment of their StyleBoutique gives us a sneak-peek into some of the "lighter plaid possibilities" for the upcoming season. From their website:

"As we transition from fall's flannel to spring's seersucker, we continue to see (and love) all things plaid. In particular, the plaid shirt—easily worn over dresses and rompers or with your favorite shorts—is a key piece.... For summer, plaid will appear in a washed, soft and feel-good fabric, and you can also look forward to nautical stripes and feminine floral prints to add to your wardrobe."

Preview Pics: Liberty of London for Target

Courtesy of Racked.com, here's a sneak peek at Liberty of London's upcoming designer collaboration with Target. Details from their web site:

"Blogger Rima Suqi nabbed shots of gardening gloves, picture frames, pillows and planters, plus a list of prices that all fall below the $20 mark. As she points out, this is the first time Target has teamed up with a partner on a range that includes menswear, womenswear, clothes for kids and housewares."

You can check out Rima's blog for more pics plus pricing on some of these items. The Liberty of London for Target collection hits stores and Target.com on March 14th.

Artist recycles old Target shopping carts

As I blogged about a couple of months ago, Target recently re-designed their shopping carts to be more ergonomically friendly. And this artist based in Los Angeles seems to have found a way to recycle the old ones: by transforming them into stylish chairs and lamps. I love this idea! What's the saying... "everything old is new again"?

Target goes wild for salmon...

Target announced yesterday that they will no longer offer farmed salmon - including its own brands - in their fresh, frozen and smoked seafood departments. This move is in order to support more sustainable fishing practices.

According to Target, all salmon sold will now be wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Additionally, sushi featuring farm-raised salmon will complete its transition to wild-caught salmon by the end of 2010.

"Target strives to be a responsible steward of the environment, while also providing our guests with the highest-quality food choices," said Greg Duppler, SVP merchandising for Target. "Our guests now have an array of sustainable seafood choices at great prices."

Rosie O'Donnell hearts Target

This post is via my hubby, who called me this morning to tell me that he heard Rosie O'Donnell on the radio going on and on about how much she LOVES Target, and that it's her favorite store. So much so that her accountant was asking her how she could spend so much at just ONE store!

So I did some digging, and apparantly this must have been an OLD interview, because Rosie made this comment on The Tyra Banks Show last March. Here's her quote:

“I had a meeting with my money guy, we sat down, he said ‘I don’t know how to say this to you, but how could you spend $40,000 last year at Target?’ I’m like, ‘There are four children and two adults in this house; We clothed everyone, got everyone in school supplies and toys for $40,000. That’s pretty good.”

Happy Super Valenbowl!

Reuters is reporting that Target has announced plans to combine Valentine's Day and Super Bowl Sunday promotions in its stores. The Super Bowl is February 7th and Valentine's Day is February 14th, so the two big days are just a week apart. At Target the two events will be combined to become Super Valenbowl. Michael Francis, Target's chief marketing officer, announced the plans in a meeting with analysts:

"As the timing of the Super Bowl now encroaches more and more on more on Valentine's Day, we've embraced the challenge and decided to create a uniquely Target holiday, which we've called Super Valenbowl. It's a great opportunity to have some fun and reassure Mom she can get everything she needs from Super Bowl party supplies to Valentine's Cards and treats all in her favorite store."

Pictured: a screenshot from Target's analyst meeting Webcast showing the Super Valenbowl store signage.

Target to open designer boutiques?

In addition to giving their current stores a facelift, Target is also planning to open small, carefully-edited "boutiques" in select metropolitan areas. From the BlackBook website:

"Surely some of the novelty of shopping a designer collaboration like Rodarte for Target is that one can make a stop to get Tom's toothpaste and a month's worth of toilet paper in one fell swoop. But, if you're an inhabitant of a cosmopolitan hub, this might not be the case for long. Over the next five to 10 years, Target plans to introduce a "smaller store format for urban centers [in addition to] expansions into Canada or Latin America," says WWD. The move isn't all that surprising given the fact that Target has installed pop-up shops with a curated selection of wares during the past few holiday seasons in NYC, SF and DC; the more boutique-like shopping experience seems to have had quite a bit of success. And, considering the chain retailer is becoming a bona fide destination for designer collaborations (from home wares and clothing to accessories), it seems like an appropriate move in cultivating increasing cachet."

Pictured: Target's gingerbread-themed pop-up shop in NYC last December.

Target stores to get a facelift in 2010

Good news for those of us who are tired of visiting somewhat "shopworn" Target stores: they're about to get a facelift. The Associated Press is reporting that Target will focus on polishing up existing stores rather than opening new ones this year.

The Bullseye will reportedly spend $1 billion renovating 340 stores while opening fewer than 10 new locations. The renovated stores will also offer more groceries. Target is also developing smaller stores for urban markets and plans to expand outside the U.S., most likely in Canada, Mexico or Latin America.

Tucker coming to Target

Fashionista is reporting that Gaby Basora’s Tucker will be Target’s next Go International collaboration.

The New York-based designer started her own collection three years ago after a successful career in styling. Though she’s expanded her line to include dresses and rompers, Tucker is best known for their colorful, patterned silk blouses. According to an inside source, Tucker's Target collection won’t include accessories, but there will be swimwear and bottoms.

Target will roll out Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Designer Collaboration on March 7 and Zac Posen’s Go International line soon after on April 25, which means Tucker’s collection should hit stores around mid-summer.

PS: pictured at left is a cami from Tucker's current collection.

Tuesday's Rant: Target now selling Ed Hardy

Most Tuesdays I take the opportunity to rant about something I do not like about Target… because although I love ‘em to death, they ain’t perfect. Now as I ranted about a couple of weeks ago, I think that Target's Great Save Event is a "big letdown". Furthermore, I was appalled to discover that as part of the Great Save, Target is now peddling Ed Hardy items. You know, the overblown, overhyped and overexposed brand from designer Christian Audigier which showcases the illustrative work of tattoo artist Ed Hardy.

Now the Ed Hardy handbags and shirts are supposed to be mixed in with the bulk-sized packages at the Great Save as “treasure hunt” items — a tactic used at No. 1 U.S. warehouse club giant Costco and which Target hoped to imitate. However, I've noticed that Target employees have mistakenly been putting the Ed Hardy stuff on an endcap in the accessories aisle instead of mixed in with the Great Save items. And frankly, in either place, I can’t see anyone buying a fugly Ed Hardy bag for $65-90 (yes, they’re really that much!) or a t-shirt for $40. I predict that the Ed Hardy ware will be destined for the clearance rack soon. Or, if they don't sell at all, to your local Goodwill store.

Pick of the Week

It's Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. This week I'm excited because my favorite Method cleaning products are on sale. Selected 10- or 12-oz. hand soap, 28-oz. all-surface spray or 30-ct. wipes are on sale for just $2.49 each. Plus, Target has other selected Method products on sale this week for 10%-off.

Note: this sale is available in-stores only, and not offered online.

SUPER Clearance Alert: Anna Sheffield for Target

A mere couple of weeks ago I alerted you all about the clearance on the Anna Sheffield for Target line, which was marked to 50%-off in-store. This sale still doesn't seem to be offered online, where most of Anna's jewelry is still at full price, with a few pieces marked down to 30% off. Well now, my local Target has marked down the collection to a crazy 75% off! And there's still a decent selection to choose from (at least at my store) like these delicate dangly hoop earrings which are now just $7.48 on sale.

REAL Preview Pics: Jean Paul Gaultier for Target

Thanks to a tip from Aquagirl2hip4u, we now get to see the REAL Jean Paul Gaultier look-book for Target (by way of Refinery29). I tend to agree with Refinery29; this collection from Gaultier is really a hodgepodge of styles, from sweet and sultry to retro and downright cartoony. You can view the entire look-book here. I especially like the leather jacket and the yellow sundress (sans the odd tatoo-print top underneath it) as well as the side-tie striped top shown at left (although I'll need to get a better look at the "big anchor" that's supposedly screenprinted on the front of it to decide whether it's wearable or not).

Grainy pics surface for Jean Paul Gaultier for Target

Unlike the crisp, professional preview pics for Zac Posen, Racked.com has also posted a grainy (at best) collection of sneak-peeks into the upcoming Jean Paul Gaultier for Target line. It's not their fault; they got the shaky cell-phone shots from LiveJournal community Fashin. And until better pictures turn up, this is the best we've got to go on. Their take on it:

"From what we can tell, it looks very Gaultier and possibly very good, especially the trench coat, which we think is $40 and may be causing us to change our minds about the inherent boringness of trench coats."

Preview Pics: Zac Posen for Target

Racked.com has posted the first preview pics for the Zac Posen for Target line, and from what I see so far, Zac will not let us down. Like Racked, I was impressed. In their words:

"There are mostly dresses and skirts, with a couple swimsuits and even a chic, slim-cut black suit. The collection looks like Zac Posen, but less complicated and with a touch of the 80's. Of course we can't tell fabric quality from the photos, but the construction looks good, and that suit is only $90.... Highlights include a sexy, asymmetrical dress decorated with snap tape, and a yellow raincoat that looks like Courrèges and is only $49.99."

The collection goes on sale April 25th. I can't wait!

Rachel goes shopping...

When reps for Target met Rachel Scroogins at the Target To Go pop-up shop in NYC last month, they were so impressed that they gave her a challenge: whip up an outfit with just $50 at Target. Rachel, a NY-based photographer and photo editor, did a great job, picking the items shown at left. You can read the story behind her fashion choices on the latest installment of Target's StyleBoutique. And for more Rachel, check out her blog The Greyest Ghost, particularly her post about her experience at the Target pop-up shop.

Smith & Hawken brand now owned by Target!

Good news, Smith & Hawken fans! Although the forecast looked gloomy for S&H when they went out of business last summer, Target has just announced that they've acquired the Smith & Hawken brand.

Target did not disclose the purchase price for the assets it acquired of the upscale garden chain. But they did state that "We're thrilled to own such an admired and iconic brand," said Kathee Tesija, executive vice president of merchandising, Target. "We believe the Smith & Hawken brand complements our existing portfolio of owned brands and provides our guests with another compelling reason to shop Target."

Target currently offers outdoor furniture, gardening and décor solutions through Smith & Hawken for Target, which has been available exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com since 2006. Target also said it will expand their Smith & Hawken offerings in the future.

Target Launches Giada De Laurentiis for Target

Target has announced the launch of Giada De Laurentiis for Target, an exclusive line of affordable cookware products and specialty food items. Giada, an award-winning chef and popular culinary-world personality, will bring her love and knowledge of food to this new collection. Designed for everyday cooking, the new assortment will be available at all Target stores and Target.com starting later this month.

The Giada De Laurentiis for Target collection will include an assortment of kitchen gear, such as cookware, ceramic bakeware and kitchen tools, in addition to food items like pasta sauces and flavored coffees, all designed with the at-home cook in mind. The collection captures Giada’s signature style with a fresh, modern twist on the tools, gadgets and food needed to make easy and affordable meals every day.

“It is so exciting to pass along my family’s cooking traditions to America’s home chefs,” said Giada. “The products I’ve designed for this line are essential in my own kitchen, and now, through my partnership with Target, at-home cooks will be able to make effortless meals affordably.”

In 2010, Giada will also serve as a spokesperson for the wide selection of affordable groceries at Target and SuperTarget stores. She will share her culinary expertise to help at-home chefs find fresh produce and affordable owned brands, while offering expert tips to make cooking more approachable and fun.

Pick of the Week

It's Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. This week's pick was easy, because it was front and center on the cover of this week's ad: Lean Cuisine frozen meals are on sale this week for just $1.88 each. Lean Cuisine has been my workday lunch of choice for the past few months now, and I can honestly say that I think it's made a difference. I've dropped several pounds and don't have the same "afternoon slump" I used to have when I'd go out and grab a huge (and usually calorie-laden) lunch at noon. My usual routine is a sensible breakfast (like steel-cut oatmeal or scrambled eggwhites with wheat toast), a Lean Cuisine for lunch, and fruit or almonds as a snack in the afternoon. IMO, the Lean Cuisine pasta varieties are among the best, and I like to look for the ones that boast "double the veggies" in the description. But if any of you out there have your favorite Lean Cuisine meals out there, please do share them with me!

Note: the Lean Cuisine meals available in-stores only, and not available online.

Unlike other retail giants, Target donates unused clothing

By now, you have probably heard the widely reported and disheartening story about two retail giants - H&M and Walmart - throwing out unsold clothes instead of donating them to people in need. And going one step further, in order to prevent anyone from finding these castoffs in dumpsters and trying to keep them, both companies have gone ahead and slashed up the garments - cutting off the sleeves and such to render the items unwearable.

Now as I blogged about back in September, when Target pulls unsold clearance merchandise from their racks, it is donated to Goodwill Industries, who then re-sells it at their local stores. From Goodwill's web site: "The sales of donations help fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges."

H&M and Walmart should follow Target's example and donate their unsold items to some sort of charitable institution. It's the RIGHT thing to do, rather than waste and destroy usable clothing and shoes.

Rain, rain, go away...

So in my neck of the woods, we have rain. And I'm not complaining, mind you, since I realize that a good portion of the nation is curently facing record snowstorms. But all this weather got me to thinking about rainboots, so I decided to check Target.com to see what they had to offer... and let me tell you, I was blown away by the selection! So many cute designs and patterns; how to choose?? I'm just showing one here (the Tattoo Rose) but click here to see the 60 different colors/designs/patterns from polka-dots and plaids to leopard print and florals. Boots like these will definitely make puddle-jumping more fun, and help to chase away my rainy-day blues.

Wendesday's Rave: Archer Farm's Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce

Back on New Year's Eve, I listed some of my favorite purchases at Target in 2009, and one of them was Archer Farm's Imported Italian Pasta. And, I mentioned that I'd be trying the Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce soon... which I did, and can wholeheartedly rave about! This spicy red pepper sauce - which definitely has a bite to it - is made with extra virgin olive oil and tastes as close to homemade as I've found in a jarred sauce. This will definitely become a staple in our pantry.

PS: sorry... I couldn't find an exact picture of the Arrabbiata flavor, but it comes in a jar like the one shown.

Tuesday's Rant: The Great Save = The Big Letdown

Most Tuesdays I take the opportunity to rant about something I do not like about Target… because although I love ‘em to death, they ain’t perfect. Today's rant is about Target's new "Great Save" event, which I blogged about the other day. Not only is Target giving up valuable shelf space for their "warehouse" deals - formerly occupied by great seasonal deals on home decor - but the entire event is poorly executed. Case in point: I have now been to 2 Target stores this week (one near my home, and one 20 miles away near my work) and both "Great Save" sections are very poorly stocked. Basically, the surrounding perimiter is filled with multi-packs of toilet paper, paper towels, books and DVDs...leaving the middle racks COMPLETELY empty. Neither Target that I've been to have stocked the supposed "deals" on Samsonite luggage, Hanes t-shirts, and other bulk items. The signage is all there, but the merchandise isn't. Which makes the "Great Save" section look pretty pathetic, IMO.

Betsey Johnson talks Target...

Last month the folks at StyleList interviewed style maven Betsey Johnson. You can read the full transcript here, but check out what she had to say about a possible collaboration with Target:

StyleList: Would you ever consider doing a fast-fashion collaboration with a store like H&M or Target?

Johnson: I would love to! But with all of my licensing and other projects, I'm really busy. But I'd love to do that -- just a one-shot collection for one of those places. I really wish we had was our own diffusion line. But you have to have so much volume, with a capital 'V' to come out with prices like that.

"The Great Save" at Target

Reuters is reporting that starting January 3rd (today) Target - the No. 2 U.S. discount retailer - is introducing "The Great Save" in its 1,740 stores.

In the space where it typically sells seasonal merchandise, Target will instead set up a "warehouse-club-like experience" to copy the success of clubs like Costco in drawing more store traffic with deals on necessities. For the next 7 weeks, Target's Great Save will feature items like a six-pack of bath towels for $19.99, children's T-shirts for $3, and 35-packs of Market Pantry bottled water for $3.59. Its stores typically carry 24-packs of the Market Pantry water for $3.99.

Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club charge members an annual fee to benefit from their discounts. But Target says its Great Save will give shoppers warehouse club savings without the warehouse membership fees.

Readers, I guess this is good news if you like to buy in bulk and want to get the "Costco experience" while perusing the aisles at Target. But the bad news is that with this move, Target will abandon their annual temporary events in January like the "Global Bazaar" or "Home Design Event" to entice shoppers with exotic home decor like African wood carvings and Asian accent tables. Target does currently have a "New Year Home Event" online, but it looks doubtful that these offerings will be made available in-store.

Pick of the Week

It's Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Now you may have heard about The Huffington Post report last week on the "12 Things That Became Obsolete" this past decade. Much to my dismay, #12 on the list was "handwritten letters". This one just kills me. While I realize that we've become an electronic society, I also believe that a Tweet, an IM, or Email does NOT suffice for a birthday, an anniversary, or other important greeting. Therefore, I'm thrilled that Target has a selection of value-priced greeting cards on sale this week for just 99-cents each. I plan to stock up and keep a supply on hand, because just as I write this I can think of 5 January birthdays that I'll need to get cards for.

Note: these cards are available in-stores only.

Target open on New Year's Day

Happy New Year! And for those of you who are wondering: yes, Target IS open today.
So if you have to get your Target-fix today, you can.

BTW: does anyone else remember when all stores used to be closed on New Year's Day?
I do, and it actually seems weird to me that Target and other retailers are open.