Friday, November 30, 2012

Shopping strategies for the NM/Target Holiday Collection…

Good Morning America just did a story about yesterday’s Neiman Marcus/Target Pop-up Shop, and it sounds like the lines were long in NYC.  Target executives commented that they’ve taken measures to avoid the website-crashing issues of last year’s Missoni frenzy, and they also stated that this time they will have more inventory available both in stores and online.  That said, it’s still unclear exactly WHEN items will be available for sale on Target.com.  According to The Recessionista, ”Target says via their Target Style Facebook page only that the collection will be available in the “early morning” hours of Dec. 1. …which could be anywhere from 1 am EST to 6 am EST, so the timing is rather vague.” 

For those of you who want to shop in person, Target stores will open Saturday at 8am (as usual) and Neiman Marcus stores will open early tomorrow at 8am to launch the collection.  I had been wondering about that, since NM usually doesn’t open until 10am.  I’m also wondering whether there will be ONE section in the store for all the items in the collection, or whether they’ll be sprinkled throughout the store.  If past collabs provide a clue, then the items will be spread out around the store, which will make them harder to find.  Regarding purchase limits, NM states that shoppers won’t be limited on the total number of items they can buy in store, but purchase quantities will be limited to 5 of any single item.   I assume that Target has similar limits in place.*

As for me, I’ll probably stick to shopping online for this collection.  I lived through the Missoni madness, and don’t want to experience that again! I do like the Tory Burch lunchbox featured in yesterday's blog post, as well as this Oscar de la Renta bag, but neither are "must haves" for me.

*UPDATE - Target has the same item limit in place, plus they state this on their website: Items from the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection must be returned by January 5th, 2013. Target will only accept collection items purchased at Target stores or Target.com.  Food for thought if you're buying items from the collection to give as Christmas gifts, as you (or the recipient) only has until 1/5/13 to return items vs. Target's normal 90-day return policy.




10 comments:

Mary Hall, The Recessionista ™ said...

Thanks for the shout-out Target-Addict. Not sure I want to wait in line, but I do want to see the goods. Especially the Tracy Reese top & the Oscar bag!

Lillykay2002 said...

I love Target, but after the Calyspo and Missoni debacle... I won't make any effort to purchase any of these collections again.

Shopping Celle said...

I was curious anc checked and as of 12:30am EST nothing was live yet.

Music said...

I just bought the Oscar bag, which is one of the items that acutally caught my attention in the previews (if I don't like it, my mom will) via the website at about 12:45 AM PT. Total luck on my part because I haven't been that excited about the collection. I was just checking to see when it would launch, actually, and everything was there! The stuff is too expensive for me for the most part. I just can't bear to spend $70 on a Marc Jacobs/Target metallic pouch. Am I the only one distressed by the price points? Even the DVF yoga mat made me check myself. When things get into the $40 to $80 range and they're not electronic or shoes, I have to think really hard. But the stuff appears to be available right now.

Unknown said...

Just bought two items - the Thom Browne blazer for my husband (he can probably pull it off, but we shall see) and the silver Marc Jacobs pouch, which I will probably return once it arrives and I come to my senses. I wasn't expecting it to be that easy!

Target Addict said...

Music, you and I must have been up at the same time, shopping together :-) I hear you on the price points; I thought about the Marc Jacobs bag, but couldn't stomach the $70.

Music said...

I know, Target Addict! I did ultimately take a risk on a couple added things via online (scarf) and decided I would return ASAP if they don't work out - but I AM buoyed by the quality control reports coming back from the troops in the store. If the quality is higher than Target's usual fare AND the materials are as described, then the higher prices do make sense. It's just a paradigm shift because I'm the one that waits to hit the clearance rack for $2.50 Mossimo tanktops! HA! So I have to make that shift courtesy of some Project Runway judge designers...which is how I've recognized some of them...

HoJo said...

I ordered what I wanted on Neiman-Marcus as they did a better job with descriptions, pictures! and sizing information. Unfortunately my 11:10 pm PT order was mostly cancelled. I wanted the letter opener, Oscar tote, and shaker and highball set. All were all cancelled by 4:49 am PT. I was looking forward to the non poly and rayon of this collection and prepared to spend a little extra for things that should last longer and be true little luxerirs. I reordered from Target and hope not to get the same notification. Tick tock will see what happens. I got totally mowed on the Missoni debacle until later releases. Jason Wu went pretty well for me but I didn't keep much due to the quality - no bargain.

Music said...

HoJo - hopefully you're good with Target.com. I was indecisive and trying to be frugal, and then did a second order online as well because I am WEAK (total of 4 items only, though, because of the price point).

I have already received notification from Target today that everything has SHIPPED with UPS tracking numbers, etc. So it looks solid.

HoJo said...

@Music thanks for checking in

I have shipping notices for everything but the Oscar tote as of now. I got notified the bar set is shipping as well as the letter opener. I have wanted that tote since October when you could see the photo gallery. It is a bit frustrating but at least my gifts are shipping so that part is good. I went to a store this afternoon when I had time and there wasn't a single item to be seen - not even a dog bowl. The Carolina Herrera travel pieces may be for me as I travel and love a cute set to hide all the loose ends that end up so "elegantly" in sandwich bags . Perhaps my splurge if the tote never ships. Glad you got what you wanted. This round was so much better handled as Target as a stand alone. The find it in store is worthless but they are making progress. :)