Will you brave Black Friday, or shop online?

Examiner.com reports that Target apparently sent an email out to customers yesterday (which I didn't get) with the clever title “You don’t have to wait online". It seems they will offer many of the same deals on their website on Thanksgiving day that they will offer later that night in stores and early on Black Friday morning. And if the item or items you want are on sale online and would ship to you for free, then why not buy it online and sleep in Friday morning?

If you still plan on going shopping on Thanksgiving night or Friday morning, Target also has that new app I told you about last week to help shoppers with maps of their stores and to get you to the item you want faster. The interactive app will lead you directly to the department or area you need to get to and quickly. To see the Target Black Friday 2014 ad or for information about the Target app, click here.

Meanwhile, Target is having plenty of deals even before Thanksgiving, like this cozy C9 by Champion Microfleece Pullover (available in a variety of colors) on sale for just $11.99 (regularly $19.99).

TOMS sells well...

The TOMS + Target collab seems to be selling well both online and in stores. At my local Target, the entire collection - men's, women's, kids, shoes and accessories - was grouped together in one section off of Womenswear, and on Sunday there was a full selection. By yesterday, all the shoes, hats and scarves were gone at my store, as were the throw blankets.

Target App Tells You If Items Are In-Store + Where To Find Them

Have you ever made a shopping list, driven to the store, then realized they were out of certain items? Well Target is solving that frustration in the form of an app that tells consumers what’s in stock and where to find those items inside the store.

Consumerist reports that Target’s new service - implemented by Washington-based tech company Point Inside - makes it possible to offer in-store functions for all U.S. locations for the first time. The company’s app allows a shopper to start their list using a type-ahead function that includes brand named items. Then the app will then notify the customer if the product is available at their chosen store location and what aisle they can find it in.

Once inside the store, the app uses the digitized model of the store to create a map showing the user the aisle location of each of the items on their shopping list. During Black Friday, the app reportedly will alert consumers to the location of doorbuster items.

One caveat: while the map can pinpoint the location of products, Target lacks the in-store beacons or similar communication capabilities that would enable Point Inside to provide shoppers with the exact route to those locations.

Deals on Target + Faribault...

Remember the Target + Faribault collab that launched earlier this month? This particular line is available only on Target.com, but here's a little tip: any customer store returns are automatically discounted to 30% off. So at my local store yesterday, I found this scarf (in Cannon Stripe) and a couple of others on clearance. In my store they were displayed front and center in the fashion accessory section (vs. on a clearance rack) with their clearance tags discretely tucked away. The quality and fabrication seemed excellent, but keep in mind these are made of woolen wool, so they are quite thick and not soft like merino wool.

The Look for Less: Merona vs. C Wonder

Novelty sweaters are popping up everywhere this season in a variety of motifs. Animals are an especially popular theme, as shown on these two cute doggie pullovers.The one on the left is the Dapper Dog Sweater from C Wonder, and will set you back $69.10 (on sale from $88). But you can get a similar look for much less with this Merona Printed Pullover at Target for only $19.99.

TOMS + Target debuts today; will you be buying?

As a reminder, the TOMS + Target line launches today, both in stores and online. While I love the intent behind the brand and this collab - giving away a portion of each purchase to those in need - this isn't a collection I'm particularly excited about. Most of the items look pretty ordinary, and there are no "must-haves" IMO. To that end, I won't be reviewing this collection, but for a full review check out this post by The Recessionista. I agree with her that the poncho (shown here) is attractive but not hugely functional. Despite that, though, this item is already sold out on Target.com in both colors.

What about you out there, readers? Is this a collab you've looked forward to, and if so, what will you be buying from it?

Target's Black Friday 2014 Ad

Target's Black Friday 2014 Ad has been posted on their website. From the looks of it, the doorbuster deals include the usual fare of flat-screen TVs, video games & movies, game consoles, toys, cameras, tablets and phones. They are also offering 40% off ALL regular-priced clothing for men, women & children, both in-store and online (with minor exclusions like the TOM's collab). And as you may have heard this week (as it was heavily reported in the news) Target is offering 10% off all Target gift cards... HOWEVER, please note that this offer is only good from 6am - noon on Black Friday, and the limit is $300 per household.