Yesterday I had some down time at work so I went to Target during my lunch hour. It didn't last long because right when I got back I was hit with a monsoon full of new projects.
I went shopping specifically for blow pops for Mariah's birthday party tonight and while I was at it, I had in mind that I was going to spend the hour leisurely looking for this or that or the other thing that I didn't specifically have in mind--like cute house decor that I don't need. I was also going to look for CD's or cheap TV Series on DVD to add to my collection. To my finding, nothing of significance was had. It's probably a good thing because I didn't need to spend the extra money anyway.
I finally made my pit stop to the candy aisle and was overwhelmed with choices I didn't know existed: blow pop gum, blow pop tootsies, blow pop gum minis, blow pop tootsie minis, jolly ranch pops. A whole end cap full of blow pops just for me. And that was just for the blow pops. There were two other aisles full of candy: kit kats, snickers, almond joys, dots. You name it. And they were $9 for each bag. YOWSA!
As I perused through the rest of the "Halloween" section I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen so much paraphernalia for one holiday. We haven't truly had one since July 4th. And even that day isn't quite as played up as the rest of the major ones. I couldn't come up with all the unnecessary items stores sell nowadays for a major holiday even if I tried. Of course, I left with a light-up pumpkin. What can I say? Target knows how to work it.
I made my way down the wine aisle and it was then I started realizing that Target has made a name for itself for a reason. I mean they reeaallly know how to do it up. And I don't think it's their product, per se, either. I don't think their merchandise is any better than that of Wal-mart, to tell you the truth. Frankly, I can't find most of what I'm ever looking for in Target half the time anyway. I think what Target does is illuminate their products so they're more catching to the eye. They make things sparkle and shine and capture your eye drawing you in to make you think you will not survive without them. I mean, with names for wine like Katie & Cassie's Sauvignon Blanc and The Middle Sister's Pinot Grigio, who wouldn't want to buy it even if it tasted bad? It's the presentation.
Things look better in Target because Target often choses to use a pink background with polka dots on the backdrop of a line of dishes, for example, instead of a plain blue one like you tend to see in Wal-mart. And therefore, it sells better and prompts more people to buy it. For some odd reason our (or at least mine) brain tells us that because the pink polka-dotted background is there it's going to make us feel happier when we use the dishes. Or, if it was a beach backdrop, it might make us think that if we use these dishes at home we'll feel like we're at the beach too, because that's what the store says. It's all a part of that marketing strategy.
So yeah, Target might make me feel good, and things in the store might look pretty and good, but I don't really ever find anything good. And the things I do find are sort of over priced, in my opinion. I could just as well find a better, sturdier, cuter mirror at Marshall's for half the price.
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