Why do I spend so much money at Target? (2024)

Do you ever wonder why you come out of Target with more than just the toothpaste and laundry detergent you went in for?

Target has been a longtime household name for its addictive shopping experience, but there are a few secrets to the store’s almost supernatural ability to get you to spend more money.

The key is through the layout and planning of its stores, according to Business Insider.

Related

What is the ‘Target Effect’?

NBC News reported that the phenomenon known as the “Target Effect” includes everything from the way the store is lit up to the layout of the items the store is selling.

“The lighting, the bright colors ... it brightens your affect and you tend to have a pretty good time so it’s conducive to buying,” licensed clinical psychologist Kevin Chapman said.

Beyond the bright lights and color scheme, Target’s clever marketing reportedly creates “a treasure hunt-like shopping experience” within its stores, in order “to keep customers coming back.”

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How Target gets you to spend more money?

Reader’s Digest reported that throughout the store, there are often nonessential items located in close proximity to items that are necessary and the most popular items.

“They give you the impression that you’re getting a deal,” Chapman said. “Because it has a 9 on the end of it it appears to be on sale.”

Chapman further asked, “So how could you pass it up?”

Related

Are there people immune to the ‘Target Effect’?

Refinery29 reported that there are many people who can’t resist the “Target Effect.”

“We can’t remember the last time we left without spending $100,” Target fans Jen Coleman and Laura Wiertzema wrote. “Especially if we take our kids with us. ... It’s almost like Target knows we won’t feel bad adding some cute dishes or a dollar spot item for $2.99. You leave feeling happy because you got some new bowls or a new pair of shoes and you didn’t break the bank. It’s instant gratification.”

Some people who aren’t affected by Target’s allure may be experiencing a lack of need for retail therapy.

“People who aren’t affected, I would consider to be much more emotionally regulated,” Chapman said. “They’re not engaging in retail therapy — which is just code for shopping as an emotional behavior to provide relief from strong emotions.”

Why do I spend so much money at Target? (2024)

FAQs

Why do people spend so much money in Target? ›

How Target gets you to spend more money? Reader's Digest reported that throughout the store, there are often nonessential items located in close proximity to items that are necessary and the most popular items. “They give you the impression that you're getting a deal,” Chapman said.

Why is Target so addicting? ›

The lighting, the bright colors ... it brightens your affect and you tend to have a pretty good time so it's conducive to buying,” licensed clinical psychologist Kevin Chapman said.

How much do you spend at Target? ›

The average Target shopper spends $49 per trip

Numerator also found that the average Target customer spends $49 per trip and visits the store every other Saturday or so. That's about 21 trips per year, resulting in a yearly spend of over $1,000.

What does Target sell the most of? ›

In the financial year 2023, roughly 29.57 percent of Target Corporation's merchandise sales corresponded to the beauty and household essentials segment. Meanwhile, apparel and accessories represented 15.58 percent of the total merchandise sales. Merchandise sales represent the vast majority of Target's' revenues.

Why do customers like Target? ›

Target, on the other hand, keeps raising the bar by investing in smart employees who are on hand to provide instant recommendations to customers. Target's associates are known for being fast, knowledgeable and available when the customer needs them most—and that's a big win in shoppers' books,” Ambrosino states.

Do rich people shop at Target? ›

Several millionaires have been spotted doing just that, from shopping at Target to browsing the aisles of Walmart. Britney Spears in particular is a huge fan of Target — she shopped there 80 times in 2018, according to court documents.

What class of people shop at Target? ›

The data shows that the typical Target shopper is a suburban mother between 35 and 44 years of age. The typical Target customer also has some college education and a household income of $80,000.

Is Target more expensive? ›

Target is more expensive because it focuses more on brand name items, and higher-end private label brands, and provides a premium shopping atmosphere.

Does target cost more than Walmart? ›

Why Target vs Walmart? Target and Walmart have been rivals for many years. Typically Walmart is cheaper, but sometimes Target surprises me! As both stores have turned from small grocery sections to a full grocery store within a clothing and other necessities store, the competition continues to increase!

How much cash can you pull at Target? ›

Tap the toggle in the Cash Back cell to turn on cash back. Select the dollar amount you'd like to withdrawal for this transaction, and select Save. Options are None, $10, $20, $30 or $40.

Who is Target's biggest competitor? ›

Top 7 target.com Alternatives & Competitors
  • walmart.com. 115. Category Rank: Retail. 475.8M. ...
  • wayfair.com. 752. 173. 107.89M. ...
  • kohls.com. 1,505. 317. 59.5M. ...
  • amazon.com. Category Rank: Online Services. 100. 4.26B. ...
  • macys.com. 1,080. 251. ...
  • etsy.com. Category Rank: Retail. 100. ...
  • ebay.com. Category Rank: Retail. 901.09M.

Who is Target's biggest customer? ›

Numerator found that Target's typical shopper is a white suburban mother between 35 and 44 years old. She typically has some college or a 4-year degree, with a household income of $80,000.

Who shops at Target the most? ›

Females makes that list first because the most notable trait among Target shoppers when compared to their counterparts is that Target draws women, particularly younger ones. While Walmart, Kohl's and Kmart all have a majority of female shoppers (>50 percent), Target's base shoppers are 60–63 percent female, on average.

How much does an average person spend at Target? ›

The average Target shopper spends $49 per visit, which equates to approximately 21 visits per year. Target has 450 000 employees. 63.84% of Target's customers are female, while 36.12% are male.

Why do Americans like Target so much? ›

This retail giant has transcended into mainstream popular culture, with numerous discussions and around half a billion Google results exploring the question, "Why do women love Target?" Aside from Target's well-maintained spaces, friendly staff, and reasonable prices, a significant yet often overlooked factor ...

Is Target struggling financially? ›

Heading into Tuesday, Target's stock had dropped 43% since its 2021 peak. Target has slumped because of its merchandise mix and prices compared to rivals like Walmart. The company stocks more non-essential merchandise compared to competitors such as Walmart (WMT) and Costco (COST).

Why do people go to Target when Walmart is cheaper? ›

Overall, Target offers a more pleasant and upscale shopping experience with better quality products compared to Walmart. However, Walmart consistently has lower prices on staple items, so it's better for budget-conscious shoppers.

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