Walmart or Target or Kmart???

16 years ago

Our super WM is really going down, less selection, BIG boxes of cereal, less help on the floor and prices not very good.

Target, very clean, nothing blocking isles, help all over, and have just about everything except fresh veggies/fruits. Good selections, prices in most part cheaper, and now they have added a whold new area for things for storage, some I have never seen before, and also a limited area of "club" products such as large cans of products, large packs of napkings etc.

KM again fairly easy to find help, not the "club" products, but good selection, and cheaper prices.

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Comments (28)

hale_bopp
16 years ago
TARGET!!!!
donna37
16 years ago
It's over 50 mi. to the nearest K mart, 100 mi. to the nearest Target, so I have to be content with our Super WM which is 20 mi. from us. It's smaller than most Super WMs but is good, large selection of food products, friendly staff so I'm good with it.
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WalMart or Target
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For decades my trips to Walmart were few and far between for a number of reasons I've outlined before. About 2 months ago a new "Super" Walmart went up not too far from from me. I decided to ignore the order given by one-who-shall-remain-nameless who ordered me to stay out of "her" Walmarts and I ventured in to look around. The big advantage is that it's open 24 hrs so I can go in during the middle of the night and avoid a lot of the traffic, although you do get the restock traffic which can be as bad. At least in this area Walmart has been forced to clean up their act a lot from what I've seen and heard, especially since Target changed the smaller stores to P-fresh. They've also converted a few stores to "Super" Targets. Target has clearly made a concerted effort to take some grocery business from the competition and with the prices I've seen, they will accomplish that. So, back to the comparisons: Carts, not much difference. Walmart's of course are new at this store so they *should* be in good shape. Target's were replaced not long ago and the plastic carts are all fine and seem to hold up a lot better than I thought they would. So equal ground there. I'll say this for the new Walmart, it's still pretty clean, and quite well maintained so far so on that level, comparable to Target. Although I suspect there's some corporate big dogs in there controlling things during the break-in period at least when I've been there. Some very definite non-Minnesota accents floating around! Pricing? Well, I've noted pricing so far on about 40 items in the local "big gun" grocery store (Cub), Target and Walmart and was quite surprised. I knew Target beat Cub on a lot of things and thought it'd be interesting to see how Walmart compares. They run a lot of TV ads comparing receipts from Cub & Walmart and claiming to be so much cheaper. I note they don't compare to Target and it's clear why. About 1/2 the items I've compared so far are identical in price. There's a number of things where Walmart is a penny or two cheaper. But there were also several things where Target was 25¢ to a couple dollars or more cheaper. I'm going to say that all in all they're pretty comparable (especially depending on what you buy, how much and how often of course). FWIW, over the past few years, a couple of the local TV stations have done their own price comparison of the stores and 2 out of 3 times Target beat Walmart quite significantly. The station's claim was you'd save $400/year at Target over Walmart in their comparison. The last one had them essentially neck in neck but an ever so slight edge to Walmart. Two big differences though that I've seen. Meat and produce. Hands down better at Target in both departments. This has been a good year for grapes so I thought I'd get some while I was at Walmart last time, but after tasting one, and spitting it out, I guessed the season was over. Two days later, at Target, I bought 3 pounds of delicious grapes. I bought apples at Walmart and thought they should be good, after all they were Honey Crisp. Bought 3, threw two. I buy apples at Target year round and never had a bad one yet. I guess I should add a third difference. Clearance items at Target. (Never really see anything on clearance at Walmart.) I like checking what's on clearance. I often seem to find something of interest and for things like cleaners and personal care items, when I have a coupon, I couple it with something on clearance and it's cheap for a good quality item. I dislike paying full retail for things like toothpaste, deodorant and the like when it's on clearance so often. Couple other things I noticed: Walmart was cheaper on can coolers, but $2 higher on the same brand name underwear. Plus Target had a "value sized" larger count package available that made it cheaper yet. The first time I was in the new Walmart, people were nearly tripping over themselves asking if they could help, which was *highly* unusual for my normal Walmart, uh, shall we say, "experience". But that situation is pretty much the same as at most of the other places around here these days. (The strategy is for every employee to make contact with every customer they can, and you don't just tell them where things are at, you bring them to it for the "personalized" touch and to help cut shoplifting since people will think they're being noticed in the store.) But I've noticed that is wearing down each subsequent trip in there. Maybe the employees are getting sick of it. Could have been that they just started the job and were excited to have the job at first, IDK. Hard to say, but I'm curious to see what will happen with that. I haven't gone to other Walmarts around here for a long time so I can't say if they vary prices from store to store but they do vary at Target and I do find that a bit annoying. They're all within a few miles of each other but the prices can vary. So will I be a Walmart regular? (Whether or not I'm "ordered" to stay out! LOL) I guess I might pick up a few staples during the middle of the night if I'm up. Not too sure I want to go there during the day. Target can be busy but still not the issues that I've encountered before in the W place. Have to wait and see I guess.
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minnie_tx
16 years ago
Sorry Walmart takes the lead
I don't like the new floorplan of the makeovers but you can't beat the prices.
KMart nothing new maybe a few sales and prices sky-high as well as Target. Their advertised specials are pretty good but You can almost tell when you buy something at Target as far as color schemes go and their prices are higher than WM's most of the time
carol_in_california
16 years ago
None of the above.
glenda_al
16 years ago
No KMart near me.
Target, you can't get anyone to help you.

WalMart for me!
sushipup1
16 years ago
The local KMart store smells, sort of a chemical paint type odor. And it's been there for years, so it isn't new. There's no one ever at that store, and I can tell them why.

Our Target and Walmart don't have much in the way of groceries, maybe only three or 4 aisles. Walmart has a super store about 20 miles away, tho. Produce is over priced, but I will get some staples there. The 6 pack of no-added-sugar applesauce, brand name, is $1.68. Safeway's price is more than $3 for same thing.
cynic
16 years ago
I've noticed Target has really made a turn for the positive around here over the last couple years. Walmart is, well, Walmart, but I will say they've cleaned up their stores around here. Now they wash the floors occasionally, and don't have the dust they used to. Kmart is the lost puppy. They used to be a good store but had wayward management. They have certain things that are very good pricing but after closing so many stores, they're not a convenient store. At least they're not tying themselves so much to the four-time felon but I see her stuff is going into Walmart now.

Walmart used to be a store around here you could expect overall prices to be cheaper. There was a local news survey of a bunch of things and surprisingly Target came out as best price, and substantially so. I found it hard to believe but a few weeks ago, I needed a new mouse and was in both Walmart and Target. Same Logitech mouse was $5 higher in Walmart. THAT surprised me. I got a couple other things there, razor blades, etc, and again made the mistake of assuming they'd be cheaper, but when I got to Target I checked the price and per blade, they were quite a bit cheaper at Target. Picked up some pain killers (IB, Naproxen, etc) and again, cheaper at Target and these were all regular prices. And Target had electric roasters on clearance for $17. The cheapest I saw them at Walmart or Kmart were $28. Granted they weren't identical items and in fairness, the Rival at Target was 16 qt instead of 18 qt at the others, but for the price difference, it still was a better value.

Walmart doesn't really do "sales" like Kmart and Target. They will have special purchases and the like.

A couple times of year Target has their "Value Valley" specials, and now it's called "Club Event" with "Club pricing". They have the big jugs of stuff at very good prices. Last year I cashed in on when they cleared it out after the event and got some unreal bargains on dish soap, paper products and the like. When you catch Target having clearance items, they can be bargains, but they don't last long.

I did find a couple things over the holidays at Walmart that were pretty good deals. Unfortunately several of the things I used to go there to get aren't carried anymore.

I know there's one or two who don't want to hear anything bad about the big "W" but these are my experiences.
joann23456
16 years ago
Target, definitely. The prices aren't as good as WalMart, but the layout, selection and employee help are much, much better. I try never to go to WalMart, though once in awhile, I have to. KMart doesn't operate stores around here anymore, but I never went there when they did.
chisue
16 years ago
Rarely go to Target. Never shop Walmart. Used to shop K-Mart MANY years ago -- and may again since I see Sears staging something of a comeback.
OklaMoni
16 years ago
For groceries, local/area grocery chain. Best prices overall, clean, helpful employees, that bag, your stuff, and help you out with it too, if you need/want it.

Walmart ever once in a while, cause it is closer. Kmart isn't near here, and Target is hell to get in and out of near me.

Moni
Marilyn Sue
16 years ago
Our local K Mart doesn't have much so I seldom go there. There is no Target where I shop. The Walmart there is nice but I do most of my grocery shopping at Meijer. I don't do a lot of other kind of shopping.

Sue
jannie
16 years ago
When I was a teen, we had a great K-Mart about a mile away. I loved that store. Nowadays (40 year later) I like Targey, hate Walmart.
plantmasterm
16 years ago
I use to love WM, now I can't stand it..they have really taken away our choices of products, everything is WM brand.. not only that the stores are dirty and you can never find what you're looking for..WM is the biggest chain store there is but always running out of items that you're looking for..Im willing to bet the managers get paid way to much for doing nothing
molly109
16 years ago
Brand new Walmart and almost new Target here. Target
hands down. Walmart keeps changing places of things -
their way of getting people to see all of their store
the Manager said. Target is clean, very well stocked
and lots of help available.

Walmart is becoming too much like their Sam's Clubs -
too much "big store packaging". There is a Sam's
Club here too - s o it doesn't make sense to me. They
are cheaper on selected items - but not really overall.

Don't have a K-Mart here, but used to really like
them in my old town.
terilyn
16 years ago
Target always, love that place! Walmart never. No Kmart here.
vannie
16 years ago
We no longer have a K-Mart. I never go to Target. I read their ads and it seems like their sale price is the regular price at Wal-Mart. Good produce, good fruit; it's Wal-Mart for me!
czech_chick
16 years ago
In this order for me...

Wal-Mart
Target
K-Mart
golfergrrl
16 years ago
Our local K-Marts have closed.
The Wal-Marts are out in the 'burbs.
We stop at them when we're on the road.
Target is where we regularly shop.
monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
Hands down, our Super Wal-Mart. It's clean, staff is super helpful and the prices are the best.

Target - Higher prices, staff is non-existent and check-out personnel must be old KMart employees.

KMart finally went out of business around here...it had horrible, maybe poorly trained checkers, no floor people, shoddy goods and was dirty.
sue_va
16 years ago
I go to KMart "for old times sake." Used to be able to get anything there, excluding groceries. Now hardly ever find anything I want.

I never go to to Target; it is just off my beaten path; bad traffic pattern there also.

WalMart is handy, but they have nothing in the clothing line any more that I like. Their produce never looks fresh to me. I never buy meat there. I will say this for WM though, their clerks are always helpful and can answer any question as to where certain items are, and will take you to it. Their deli products are very good.

As for groceries, Kroger is my first choice. I watch the ads and get their specials if it is what I normally buy. Double coupons every day , and 5% off for Seniors on Tuesdays. 'Course, there aren't many good coupons any more, either.

As a side note, Rose's came back after being gone several years. It is not the old Rose's and actually makes me feel sad to walk through. AND, they ask for an ID if you use a credit card. They have started giving 10% discount to Seniors on Wednesdays. If they were smart they would do that on Tuesdays. All us Seniors are already in town on Tuesdays.

I think shopping is just not the fun it used to be, especially for women's clothing.

Sue
linda_in_iowa
16 years ago
Our town of 50,000 has 2 WalMarts (one is a super), one K-Mart and one Target. I had always been a Target shopper in CA but when I moved here I would go to Target and they wouldn't have what I was looking for so I would go to WalMart. I have always disliked K-Mart. Now I hardly ever go to Target. WalMart is my first choice. Sure can't beat their prices. Both of the WMs here are clean.
erica
16 years ago
K-mart for Pepsi Icees and the occasional necessity, but ours is pretty sad. The whole center has gone downhill because growth happened the other direction (including Walmart). It's kind of a scary shopping center now... Oh, and a lot of times, their prices are higher.

Walmart is the closest place we have to grocery shop now. While we appreciate the prices, and it's clean, it's not fun at all. It's always crowded, and like a 3-ring circus. Most of the checkers and employees just seem lazy/unmotivated - not sure if that's just Walmart.

Target is farther out for us, but it's new and really nice. It's a much more pleasant experience than either of the other stores, and the prices are always better than I think they'll be (as good as Walmart most of the time, or better). I hope they do well in this spot, because the economy caused other development to stop. It's a super nice store, though, so I imagine things will pick up.
3katz4me
16 years ago
I buy a lot of household items at Walmart but do not care for the superstore layout at all - too huge and I just don't care for the grocery section at all. So I never buy groceries there because I never go to their superstores. The regular Walmart by me is newer, clean, well organized and the people who work there are very friendly and pleasant. I don't need much help at Walmart - I even check out by myself. I buy a lot of groceries at Target but not a lot of other things. Target's grocery store is like a large convenience store - decent selection but you can get through there quick. Their prices are good - some things $1 or $2 cheaper than local grocery chain. Housewares, etc. are usually much less expensive at Walmart. Target's household things are more stylish and upscale though so if I want something nicer I go to Target. If I want something cheap I go to Walmart. Two complaints I have about Target. They're too focused on just in time inventory and are frequently out of things when I stop on my way home from work - very annoying. They're also just in time with check out staff so often longish lines while they round up more employees to get them to the cash register. I also buy a lot of meat, fish, produce and snack items at Costco. I also buy some groceries at Trader Joe's but it's not close to me so not a regular stop for me. Our local grocery store prices are outrageous so I only go there when I can't buy what I need somewhere else. I haven't been in a K-Mart in about 35 years.
lisa_fla
16 years ago
Walmart-hardly ever go there. I have noticed in the last year that some Walmarts are clean now while others are chaotic. The clean ones have small lines, the dirty ones have long slow lines-but they also offer self check out.

Target-always clean and very nice looking produce. I think their meats are excellent too! I see lots of employees and also phones around the store that you may pick up for assistance. I agree with the person who doesn't like the new layouts. Its confusing and the aisles get crowded easily. Target does have great clearance prices!

Kmart-I like Kmart. I find lots of unmarked clearance items around the store, probably due to the fact that they have few employees. I think Walmart and Target need some competition. Now they have a Rewards card (not a credit card, but a shopper rewards card like CVS)) and I have won a couple of small prizes. I loved when they had double coupons last year, but they only have them rarely now. Its usually the only place of the three that carries wide shoes.
lilliepad
16 years ago
Don't like K mart or Target and do my shopping at Walmart.There are a gazillion (well,maybe not,but a LOT) WM's here in Albuquerque but I do my shopping at only 2.All have different degree's of cleanliness,(although I haven't seen a "dirty" one here yet and I have been to just about all of them) just as each has it's own pros and cons as far as space and product selection goes.One that I shop in has such a crowded clothing department that I will not go into it.I have found that prices are higher at K mart and Target on the things I normally buy than at WM.
pekemom
16 years ago
The new Super Walmart is closest to us, we usually shop there except for meat (butcher store in town) and some produce (Safeway)
Our DD has a Super Target near her and it's really nice, ours is a regular one, I wish we had one like hers.
I check Target and Kmart every once in a while.
Sometimes there's sale items at Albertsons or King Soopers but I don't usually stop there.
User
16 years ago
Most of the Targets in the area have been built in the last couple of years so they are clean and have friendly staff. I've found some great bargains.

I used to love K-Mart, but their quality has gone down and they are in parts of town I don't visit.

I also used to love Wal-Mart. They aren't that competitive in their prices anymore and they sell junk that falls apart after one or two uses. The selection is limited and they move everything around all of the time. I pretty much only go there when someone sends me there to get something specific or i get a craving for GV trail mix.
marilyn_c
16 years ago
No K Mart here any more. I never go to Target, and seldom go to Walmart because it is so big, it hurts my knees to walk on hard surfaces that long...so I go to Krogers for meat and HEB, a Texas chain, for just about everything.

Walmart or Target or Kmart???

Comments (28)

hale_bopp

donna37

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