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Posts Tagged ‘Target’
Ok. My boys don’t know it yet, but they are totally going to rock skinny plaid pants and bow ties this holiday season. And if they protest, I’ll just say: Gwen Stefani! Automatic street cred. Stefani’s Harajuku Mini collection is scheduled to hit Target stores on Sunday, Nov. 13. the look book is seriously adorable–cute kid models notwithstanding. Think plaid jumpers, fuzzy hoodies and tuxedo-style onesies, faux-leather jackets and punker pants you just know Zuma has already claimed for his own. The collection includes apparel and accessories for babies, toddlers and tween girls. Prices range from $3.99 to $29.99. Unlike most of Target’s celebrity partnerships, this one is planned to be “ongoing.” A second installment of Harajuku Mini will arrive at Target stores right after Christmas.
Tags: Gwen Stefani, Harajuku Mini, Target
Posted in Baby/Kids | No Comments »
Lingerie was not on my shopping list yesterday, but before I picked up my toothpaste and milk at Target, I swung by intimates to check out Josie Natori for Target.
It wasn’t there.
Target’s first limited-edition collection of lingerie and loungewear was scheduled to debut in stores yesterday–a national ad campaign said so. But it wasn’t at some prime Super Target locations yesterday, or today. “Some product was delayed,” Target spokesman Joshua Thomas said Monday. It should be in later this week at around 1,200 Target stores nationwide. The line is available online at Target.com.
I can’t recall another Target designer collection that was late to arrive–in fact, typically, pieces show up on the floor early. Not a huge controversy, but it does seem an unfortunate glitch on the heels of Missoni for Target, which blew out of stores in hours–an epic success that came at a price: online failures and disappointed shoppers.
Tags: designer partnerships, natori, Target
Posted in Shopping Tips, Women's Fashion | 3 Comments »
In the constant quest to get shoppers excited and make the evening news, both Target and Mall of America announced today their plans to open at midnight on Black Friday. It actually seems more civilized than 3 or 4 a.m. I’d rather stay up late than crawl out of bed in the middle of the night to shop.
Black Friday hours have been creeping earlier for years. Last year, several chains, including Sears and Gap, were open on Thanksgiving Day. Premium Outlets, including Albertville, has opened at midnight the past few years–creating traffic jams in the process.
Target says the decision to open four hours earlier than last year was based on customer demand. Mall of America has 70 of its 500-plus retailers signed on for the midnight opening. It will be interesting to see what the deals are like: longer hours could actually help retailers create more of a party atmosphere–putting the emphasis on the event of shopping, rather than the blockbuster deals that have become synonymous with Black Friday. But it would have to be a really excellent party. Discounts are the reward for staying up late or rising extra early, and it won’t be easy to change that.
P.S.: Macy’s announced on Monday that its stores will open at midnight on Black Friday as well.
Will you shop at midnight?
Tags: Black Friday, gap, macy's, Mall of America, midnight madness, MOA, premium outlet, sears, Target
Posted in Events, Mall of America, Shopping trends | 1 Comment »
If only I’d gotten to Target just a little earlier last Tuesday, or hit “refresh” just a few times more on Target.com, I’d surely be lounging on a tropical island right now – perhaps my own private island – what with all my earnings from selling Missoni for Target items on eBay.
Or not.
I did have one shopper call in to Shop Girls to report that she sold a $39.99 Missoni blanket from Target for $180 on eBay. But the more common story seems to be my friend who snatched up $2,500 worth of Missoni for Target, took most of it to eBay, and even though she conservatively listed items for around 20 percent above original price, she’s sold just two – a vase and a duvet set. She made $15 on the vase, and stands to make $22 on the duvet…that is, if the buyer actually ponies up. Now filled with buyer’s remorse, she plans to return several unused items. Target could end up with more Missoni in stores after all.
Tags: ebay, Missoni, Target
Posted in Current Affairs | 2 Comments »
Off, into the sunset. Even the $399.99 Missoni bicycle for Target reportedly sold out all units nationwide today.
It’s 9:26 p.m.–a full 16 hours after the limited edition Missioni collection launched on Target.com, and the website is still down. Meanwhile, more than 15,000 items from the Missoni for Target collection are already on eBay, many selling for double the original price. Target is attempting to respond to every angry Tweet sent to @TargetStyle. The retailer says some stores will receive more Missioni in the next few days; online will not. Target spokesman Joshua Thomas spent the day apologizing for the empty racks and online woes, saying traffic was heavier than a typical Black Friday and demand far exceeded expectations. You’d think the fact that a pop-up in New York sold out of its entire stock within six hours last week might have better prepared the company for what happened today.
Now, Target must scramble to fill the space that was earmarked for Missioni for the next six weeks (Xhiliration, anyone? Anyone?). While the stores may experience increased traffic for the next few days from people hoping for more, word spread fast that it’s all gone. Target counts on its designer lines to drive traffic to other departments within the store. If you’re not making an extra trip for Missoni, you’re also not grabbing the inevitable $100 of incidentals. Time will tell if this frenzy actually hurt, more than it helped Target.
So what’s the takeaway?
1. More bandwidth online. Or a beefed up help desk? Basically, don’t test your redesigned website with your most heavily hyped designer collaboration.
2. Make sure marketing matches production. The ads always look amazing. The collections don’t always live up, or in this case, live on. When you’re investing in ads in Vogue and throwing parties at New York Fashion Week, you better be prepared for demand.
3. Thinkfast. It would likely take too long to re-issue, and by that time, the fashion-mob moment will have passed and word will be out on how things actually fit. But perhaps Target could capitalize on the attention by letting desperate shoppers order ahead for certain items to be re-issued, or even vote on select items to bring back. That would stick it to those who immediately tried to sell on eBay, extend the Missoni buzz, and serve as a mea culpa to frustrated customers.
Tags: designer partnerships, Missoni, Target
Posted in Shopping Tips, Women's Fashion | 3 Comments »
 It will likely go down as Target’s most successful designer partnership ever: the limited edition Missoni for Target collection hit stores this morning….and sold out most places before 10 a.m. Meanwhile, Target.com was down for around three hours (intentional, or overcrowded?). As of 11 a.m., there are (or were) still pieces available online – women’s, girls and home – if you can get through. Don’t expect the racks to be restocked–historically, when Target’s designer collections are gone, they’re gone.
Who knew we loved Missoni this much? I think a couple of factors fueled this morning’s shopping frenzy. 1. Great timing, with the collection coming out during New York Fashion Week. Last week’s Missoni for Target preview in New York got a lot of media attention, with A-list editors like Nina Garcia gushing about it on Twitter. 2. It looks legit. Missoni has such a distinct style, and the Target items reflect that.
So. That’s that. You might need a Dramamine to get through the skyway the rest of the week, what with all those zigzag prints coming and going.
Tags: Missoni, Target
Posted in Women's Fashion | No Comments »
This never happens. The desert boots everyone was coveting at our Mpls.St.Paul Magazine fall fashion shoot were the most affordable pair of shoes on set…by hundreds. Mossimo, $24.99! Coming soon, to a Target near you. Stylist Liz Doyle was so excited, she splurged on $6 lavender Benjo’s laces.
Tags: benjos, desert boots, fall fashion 2011, mossimo, Target
Posted in Footwear | No Comments »
Italian luxury brand Missoni is Target’s next designer partner. Missoni for Target will feature apparel for women, men, girls and baby as well as home goods including bedding, dinnerware, stationery and decor. Prices will range from $2.99 to $599.99, with most items below $40. Look for Missoni at Target Sept. 13 to Oct. 22.
Tags: designer partnerships, Missoni, Target
Posted in Baby/Kids, Home & Garden, Women's Fashion | No Comments »
I’ve learned to temper my excitement about Target’s fashion designer partnerships – the clothes rarely live up to the fantastic advertising photos, and even if they do look great for the price in person, the sizes are generally geared toward 12 year olds. Nevertheless, I can’t help but be anxious to shop Calypso St. Barth for Target, launching this Sunday, May 1. Of course, the sundresses look adorable in pictures. But I’m even more optimistic about the swim coverups, the summery fashion accessories, the clothes for little girls, and the decorative pillows, tableware and other home goods – all in Calypso’s signature turquoise and coral prints. Perfectly timed. I think this is going to be a good one. Even Target insiders, who often get jaded about their own designer collaborations sound really pleased about the limited edition collection, in stores through June 11.
 
Tags: Calypso St. Barth, Target
Posted in Accessories, Baby/Kids, Shopping Tips, Women's Fashion | No Comments »
 I was in Palm Beach last week, strolling from Hermes to Chanel, discovering hidden gems down each achingly charming Mediterranean via on the famed Worth Avenue when I got an email from Mall of America announcing a trio of new designer stores, including Michael Kors. I always get excited about retail arrivals for the Twin Cities – especially proven performers like A|X Armani Exchange that are finally realizing we’re not all farms and igloos in the Land of Lakes. I’ve been feeling good about MOA’s momentum – they’ve tried many times throughout the years to attract luxury – or at least, upscale – retail, and finally, they seem to be making headway.
Then I visited Town Center in Boca Raton, and not only do they have virtually every upscale store at or coming to MOA, they have dozens more. Henri Bendel. Cartier. Bvlgari. CH Carolina Herrera. Vince. That’s in addition to five department stores which carry those lines, and many, many more. Town Center is a Simon mall – just like, and absolutely nothing like, Southdale. (Imagine Simon giving Edina a Saks Fifth Avenue rather than a Herberger’s!) We might be home to the nation’s first mall, and the biggest, but we’re still in Minnesota, and we’re always going to have to fight for our designer dresses. At least we appreciate them when we have them – just ask Monique Lhuillier.
Our underdog fashion status makes the local boutiques that much more important in the Twin Cities. They give us what our department stores (beside Nordstrom) don’t think we’re worthy of. At Saks in Boca, you find racks of Cut25, the Yigal Azrouel diffusion line (pictured, left).  Here, you’ll find it at Grethen House. Bumbershute has lines like MikeGonzalez that you sure won’t find at our sorry Bloomingdale’s or Macy’s. OPM, Arafina, Allee Metro Chic and BlackBlue are just a few of the other Twin Cities boutiques introducing Minnesota to new, buzzed-about lines, even when the malls and chains are not.
At least we have Target. I’m especially anxious for next month’s launch of Calypso St. Barth for Target  after visiting the Calypso store in Palm Beach (pictured, right) – there, Calypso’s $150 tops and $350 dresses seem like the Gap compared to the brand’s ultra luxury neighbors. Calypso is the epitome of island chic – so breezy, so effortlessly sexy – the billowy blouses in orange, pink or ocean blue, the breezy dresses – I wanted one of everything. Of course, an ocean and 90 sunny degrees do make for ideal accessories.
Calypso for Target will launch on May 1. I’ve previewed the look book, and it is extremely promising (sometimes I think Target would be better off with lesser quality photography – then so many of its designer collaborations might not be as disappointing in person): There are beachy tops, fashionable coverups, long sundresses in chic neutrals and summery brights and prints. If the dresses don’t fit, the jewelry, sandals, totes and even the tableware look desirable too. Worth Avenue, it’s not. But then, neither am I, the other 51 weeks of the year. So, I’ll wear the Target version, and save my pennies for another week on the beach (and maybe, if it rains, a couple of hours at the stores) with my family.
Tags: Calypso St. Barth, Mall of America, Palm Beach shopping, Simon malls, southdale, Target, Town Center Boca Raton, Twin Cities retail, twin cities shopping, Worth Avenue
Posted in Current Affairs, Mall of America, Twin Cities retail | 2 Comments »
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