Double-Take: Zinc Door vs. Safavieh at Target

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it up against a lookalike - yet pricier - designer piece. Today we have two gold-framed, marble-topped end tables... which like my last double-take, look virtually identical. The difference is that one of them is by Ray (at Zinc Door) and will set you back $581, while the other one is by Safavieh (on Target.com) and cost only $369 (on sale). Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Target names new CEO

USA Today reports that Target has tapped PepsiCo executive Brian Cornell as the retailer's new CEO. This comes nearly three months after former CEO Gregg Steinhafel stepped down as the brand dealt with the aftermath of a reputation-threatening holiday data breach and difficulties with its Canada stores.

Cornell, 55, replaces interim CEO John Mulligan, who stepped in when Steinhafel resigned in May. He will leave his post as CEO of PepsiCo Americas Foods, where he oversaw the brand's snack business including Frito-Lay North America and Quaker Foods. He will assume his role as Target CEO Aug. 12th. 

For more on Cornell in his own words, check out this interview with him on A Bullseye View.

Target takes extra security measures...

As I reported a few months ago, Target will be transitioning to the more secure microchip-enabled credit cards in early 2015. In the meantime, Target stores are taking the additional security measure of asking you for the last 4 digits of your credit card upon checkout. This means that after they've already swiped your card - but before they hand you your merchandise - they will ask you for the last 4 digits on your card. To that end, it'd be best to either memorize those numbers or keep your card out until you actually have your goods in hand. One Target clerk told me this is becoming commonplace at other retailers (not just Target) but so far Tar-shay is the only store I've experienced this at.

Target's largest East Coast store opens today...

Racked.com reports that Target's sprawling King of Prussia, PA location - the largest Target store on the East Coast - will open today. Local police and fire crews were on standby for the store's Sunday morning debut, anticipating large crowds and increased traffic on the already-clogged Route 202.

Here's what to expect after you shoulder your way through the crowds: 135,000 square feet of general Target goodness, including a grocery section that's 40% larger than those in standard Target stores. There's also an iPad-equipped browsing lounge - staffed by black shirted employees - where you can comparison shop Target's electronics online. The construction of this behemoth is different, too: part of the store is on elevated on stilts over an 800-space parking garage.

Double-Take: Home Depot vs. Target

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it up against a lookalike - yet pricier - designer piece. Today we have two paper orb pendant lamps, which look virtually identical. Only one of them is from Home Decorators Collection (at Home Depot) and costs $42, whereas the other is from Adesso (on Target.com) and only costs $26.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

New at Target: Method Fall Scents

While at Target the other day I noticed some new Method Fall Scents (with packaging that looks similar to the prints & patterns on the old Orla Kiely for Method bottles). Shown here is the foaming hand wash in "Kelly Moss" (which I bought) that is supposed to smell like "a bright, botanical medley of moss, lavender and loveliness." Other Fall Scents include "Rice Milk & Mallow" (which I smelled in store and didn't care for) and "White Cranberry" (which wasn't available at my store).

Method's Fall Scents are available in the gel hand wash, the foaming hand wash and body wash products, and are available at Target and other select retailers.

Fab Find: Xhilaration Fit & Flare Dress

After not being able to find a cute striped Xhilaration dress in my size in stores, I headed to Target.com to find it online. That's where I found this similar dress (also by Xhilaration) which had rave reviews. The bad news is that it's pretty much sold out online in most sizes. The good news is that it's still available in stores, where I was able to get it in the Black/White print (which also has hints of turquoise and pink). I'm still on the hunt for one in the Navy Aztec print shown here.

What's great about this dress is that the cotton knit is substantial and not flimsy like a lot of Target's knit dresses. And despite the junior sizing, this dress isn't too short nor too skimpy in the bust. Just throw a cardigan or blazer over it and it's office-appropriate for hot summer climates.

Analysts tell Target to consider bailing on Canada...

Several news outlets - including The Calgary Herald - are reporting that the future of Target in Canada is being questioned by some analysts after the U.S. discount retailer fumbled its initial launch across the country and has since struggled to recover.

Michael Exstein, an analyst with Credit Suisse in New York, said in a recent note to clients that Target should "decide one way or the other on whether Canada is worth diverting time and management capital away from the U.S. business.... We think it may be more prudent for Target to cut its losses and devote 100 per cent of its resources on the U.S., which comprises over 97 per cent of the company's current sales," he said.

Extein added "If Target exits Canada in 2015, we estimate it will incur $3.5 billion in charges, but generate $1 billion in cash proceeds. We estimate Target would see a nearly 10 per cent decline in equity and the largest decline in FCF (free cash flow) since 2007."

Target's new app: In a Snap

Have you ever flipped thru a magazine and immediately fell in love with a product — a rug, chair, lamp, whatever — and just HAD to have it? Like, right there and then?? Well that desire for instant gratification is the idea behind Target’s latest mobile app, In a Snap.

Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod, this new image recognition app lets you easily shop Target items directly off the pages of magazines and printed ads without having to scan confusing codes, look up links or search for product information online or in store. Using the camera on your mobile device, In a Snap recognizes select ads, makes a “snap” sound to let you know when it’s ready, and then shows you additional info about each product in the ad, making them easy to immediately purchase or to consider later.

According to A Bullseye View, the app launched last week and is featured in ads for Target’s Room Essentials brand in current issues of RealSimple, Architectural Digest, and Domino magazine. The app also works with Target’s new back-to-college catalog. Depending on guest feedback and results from initial testing, Target will consider using In a Snap with more ad campaigns in the future. 

Target's totally fun school supplies...

Target has some super-cool school supplies this season that will make even us adults want to go back to school. Case in point: these laugh-out-loud funny notebooks. For other awesome products - like shag rugs for locker shelves and retro 80's slap bracelet rulers - check out this post on A Bullseye View.

Fab Find: Nate Berkus for Target Sequin Pillow

Several days ago I found this gorgeous Nate Berkus for Target pillow at my local store. At 75% off the regular price of $24.99 it was certainly tempting, but I noticed it was fairly shopworn (with a dirt stain on one side and several sequins missing). I passed on it, but the low price of around $6 kept calling me. A couple days later I went back for it, and of course it was gone. But yesterday I found another one on the clearance rack, and this one was clean plus has all the sequins intact. Score!

According to Polyvore, the cream version is sold out on Target.com, but you might still be able to find it in store (like I did). It's also available in black.

Target's "Black Friday(s) in July"

Since 2010, Target has been promoting a sale in mid-Summer they dub their "Black Friday in July". This year, Target is extending the deals over multiple weekends. I haven't been blogging (nor visiting Target) as much as I usually do recently, so I'm not sure whether this promotion started last weekend or not. But thanks to The Recessionista's helpful post , I have the scoop on Target's deals over the next two weekends. Click here to read her full rundown, but in a nutshell: this weekend (July 18/19) will focus on home furnishings and decor, and the following weekend (July 25/26) will concentrate on electronics and gadgets. And for advance notice of the exact deals over the next two weekends, sign up here on Target.com for email alerts.

Lim lookalike...

Remember the Philip Lim for Target mini-satchel bags that were a sellout last Fall? The ones that were closely based on Lim's full-priced "Pashli" style? The ones that retailed for $34.99, but are still making the rounds on eBay for as much as $200 a pop?? Well at Target today I noticed that Merona has come out with their own version of this coveted bag. Granted it doesn't have Lim's signature side-zippers, but it is the same overall shape, has almost the same gold hardware on the front, and includes a cross-body strap just like Lim's version did. At under $30, you might want to check it out... although IMO, it doesn't come close to the styling or quality of the Lim for Target ones.

Target's deals on school uniforms...

You probably don't want to start thinking about Back To School shopping yet, but if you have to buy school uniforms then you should check out this week's deals from Target. On Target.com they're offering up to 20% off on uniforms from Cherokee, French Toast and Dickies. And over on eBay, Target is having a "uniform blitz" sale with up to 40% off school uniforms (but hurry, as that sale ends tomorrow - July 10th - at noon).

Target asks customers to leave guns at home...

As of today, Target is "respectfully" requesting that shoppers not bring guns into its stores. According to USA Today, the retailer posted a notice on its website this morning that quickly drew attention on Twitter — with the hashtag #ontarget.

"Our approach has always been to follow local laws, and of course, we will continue to do so," the notice says. "But starting today we will also respectfully request that guests not bring firearms to Target — even in communities where it is permitted by law. We've listened carefully to the nuances of this debate and respect the protected rights of everyone involved. In return, we are asking for help in fulfilling our goal to create an atmosphere that is safe and inviting for our guests and team members." 

The "debate" continued to rage in comments posted on Target's website. Among them: "This is just to shut up the anti gunners," commented Kory Watkins. "Going back to Target with my gun today and tomorrow and whatever days I want." But S.K. Boss offered this: "Thank you, Target, for displaying #gunsense and promoting public safety as a civic duty." Both comments had drawn hundreds of likes by early afternoon.

The Minneapolis-based retailer says guns in its stores are "at odds" with the family atmosphere it champions. Gun rights advocates have made headlines in recent months by openly bringing weapons into some Targets stores, a demonstration of their rights to openly carry firearms in public.

A month ago, the group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America launched a petition asking Target to prevent customers from carrying firearms in its 1,700-plus stores. The petition drew nearly 400,000 signatures. The group issued a statement today applauding Target's decision.