August 30, 2010
By the ZippyCart Shopping Cart Reviews Content Team
Target is capitalizing on the popular online trend of customization, by recently launching a new advertising technology that is intended to provide shoppers with a customized version of their weekly ad. The new product called “My TargetWeekly,” looks to give online shoppers targeted coupons and deals each week that match their interests. It also allows for deals and coupons to be shared on Twitter and Facebook, which is another popular trend as more online retailers figure out ways to utilize social commerce. Facebook is also an entry point for Target shoppers to become part of “My TargetWeekly,” as there is a tab dedicated on Target’s fanpage for signing people up. Additionally consumers can create their own mobile shopping lists, so they can keep track of all the deals they want to buy in-store or online in the future. As Black Friday and Cyber Monday near, it is likely that Target will look to “My TargetWeekly” to drive consumers to their ecommerce site to take advantage of amazing deals.
Industry analysts speculate that this style of targeted deals could become increasingly common among online retailers, as they work to innovate and give consumers a way to keep coming back to shop. Over the past couple years of rough economic times, consumers have become more conscious about how they spend their money, and shopping online has been a great way for them to save. Online spending for Target is always up during the holiday shopping season, but this year some analysts worry that Target may take a hit due to the continued boycott of Target initiated by national political organization, MoveOn.org. Because of this, it is hoped that this new marketing tactic will help bring back some lost customers and keep current customers engaged.
Savvy shoppers love testing out new technologies, as they’re always hunting for the next cool tool to help them find the best deals online. If you are a fan of Target and/or online deals, then the new “My TargetWeekly” technology is something you may want to try out for yourself.
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Unfortunately, Target’s new MyTargetWeekly strategy is not likely to work. Social media is being used more effectively by those not shopping at Target due to the political contribution fallout . Target’s brand image has been lowered among many of its now former customers. Target’s ongoing public relations mishandling of the situation is only extending the crisis and further eroding consumer loyalty to the Target brand among a previously loyal segment of its customers.
Customize your donations. Meanwhile, I’ll customize my own Target ads. They go into the trash bin.
Yes, the new product called “My TargetWeekly,” may have coupons and deals each week. However, KMart is ahead of Target on this. KMart has Shop Your Way Rewards – which works at Sears and Lands End, too. Target had no choice but to ramp up MyWeeklyTarget when they noticed their disaffected Target customers starting to notice the KMart cards. The erosion of Target’s customer base will likely continue as long as Target takes advice from other conservative business leaders who are likely advising Target to retain a “silent, stiff-upper-lip” approach to their ongoing problems.
[...] Target has slowly been moving away from Amazon in recent years. Eastman said in 2009 that “it is in Target’s best interest going forward to assume full control over the design and management of Target’s e-commerce technology platform, fulfillment and guest services operations.” The new site is actually quite easy on the eyes, and is much easier to navigate than its previous counterpart. “Establishing a new platform for Target.com allows Target to reinvent our guests’ online environment and create a more user-friendly, reliable experience,” said Eastman. “with the new Target.com, we are in a better position to satisfy our guests’ constantly evolving preferences — whenever, wherever — in the same way we have earned their loyal support in our stores for decades.” [...]