I perfer Wal-Mart actually over Target. Target is too RED for me - makes my eyes hurt. Wal-Mart has problems with international diversity and teaching cleaning people that the customer is first. But generally I've found employees in Boise friendly and curteous. There are exceptions to every location. The Target is in an are with lots of traffic, but Target is not "drawing" the traffic. Wal-Mart and Costco in this area both draw traffic.

Jeff

Why does it seem any Wal-Mart I have gone to is like "slumville." It also seems like the customers as well as the employees have this aura about them that is negative. I think that is the main difference between Wal-Mart and Target. Both are lower end merchandise stores, however customers and employees at Target seem to have a more expectant positive attitude than those at Wal-Mart. My main goal is to get a good purchase price on an item I want rather than the atmosphere. As far as cleanliness and display Target wins hands down over Wal-Mart.

I don't have any better luck shopping at Target than at Wal-mart. Target's grocery prices are definitely higher so I shop at Walmart. Yes, the people in Walmart sometimes look low-class, but I shop there too so what the heck. I don't notice anyone dressing any snazzier in Target. My pet peeve about each store are these: Wal-mart's too cheap flimsy plastic bags that only hold one or two items each and in Target, there is absolutely no one around to ask for help. They have those red  help phones located around the store, but they lead nowhere. Usually when I pick up the receiver and wait for help it just goes dead. I've walked out of Target many times after searching for an item and not finding it nor anyone to help me find it. As far as I'm concerned they both carry the same cheap clothing made anywhere overseas so neither one is any better than the other. So I just shop at the one where I get the best bang for my buck.

And another thing I just don't get about Target, their stupid advertising they mail out every now and then. It's usually some glossy, hip-looking slick ad with some awesome fold-out kind of thing with absolutely no substance. There is nothing in it of any relevance whatsoever. Whomever they have doing these advertising mailers should be fired. What a waste of their money. It usually goes directly into the trash after the first 3 seconds I look at it.

my problem with Target is that I am rarely able to find the products I need. They would be better if they had more selection. as for cleanliness and narrow isles that some complain of in Wal-Mart, well... those are issues at the Targets here as well.

Wal-Mart is the better choice than Target.  While I agreed with the ailes being too narrow also, Wal-Mart has fixed that and now all of the aisles are wider and they have even put in faux wood flooring to improve the atmoshere, which has helped tremendously. Pricing is better than @ Target and I can always find everything that I need at Wal-Mart vs Target so I don't waste my time going to Target because I always have to end up going back to Wal-Mart anyway. Finally, Wal-Mart is winning the battle as all you have to do is look @ Wall Street.  Target is trading at the end of their 52 week range while Wal-Mart is trading at $52, which is at the high end of their 52 week range.  In this economy, people are shopping where they can get the best bang for their buck because there is less disposable income to go around these days  when gas prices are at all time highs.

In Fort Wayne, IN there are 3 walmarts and another on the way.  The problem is all of the stores have different prices for the same item, with the highest prices, being in the "high crime/low income" area.  I sent the corporate office an email inquiring how they could do this,   I'm still waitng on a response or price adjustment.  

There used to be a Target in this same area, it closed due to lack of sales  (some idot didn't go there at the right time to see the crowded parking lot and many customers standing in line.)

Now they are building another Target on the southwest side of town- across the road from Walmart, it will be interesting to see how fast walmart profits plunge.

I feel SO LOW CLASS when I'm in Wal-Mart!  Even though Wal-Mart is closer to me, I drive the extra few miles to Target.  Their merchandise is updated, trendier and higher quality, and  I don't mind paying 2 or 3 dollars more for my purchase. Just about everyone I know deplores Wal-Mart and LOVES Target!

PS...since when is bagging merchandise at Wal-Mart deserving of a "livable wage" ?  That is a job one has for supplemental income or a high school/college job.  What on earth makes people think aspiring to be a clerk at Wal-Mart deserves a wage to raise a family and purchase a home with?  That's why people sacrifice time and money on learing a skill or going to college!

Wow, I must say the WalMat in my area must be really great.  I shop at both a target (stuff) and a walmart (groceries).  The target rarely has many chechk outs open, the WalMart always has ALL of them open.  Of coarse all the lines are long because its so busy.  At least WalMArt doesn't look like a Kmart like the Target near me!