Target Experiments With Next-Day Delivery

New Restock program makes 10,000 household items available to customers in the Twin Cities.

July 05, 2017

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Target is testing its next-day delivery service, Target Restock, in the Twin Cities and other Minnesota locations, reports the Star Tribune.

The news source notes that while Target may be a few years behind Amazon in rolling out next-day delivery, the service will cost customers a dollar less and promises faster delivery than Amazon’s Prime Pantry sevice. such a capability, the service is priced for a dollar less and promises faster delivery than Amazon’s counterpart, Prime Pantry. Target Restock charges a flat fee of $4.99 and offers customers a variety of more than 10,000 baby, beauty, personal care, food, pet and household products. As shoppers add each item, the website shows how room is left in the box, which is limited in weight to 45 pounds. Produce and other fresh grocery items are not part of the program.

“Target Restock is squarely aimed at taking share back from Amazon,” Matt Sargent, senior vice president of retail for consulting firm Magid, wrote in a recent research note. “The need for Target Restock to succeed cannot be underestimated.” He added that his firm’s research indicates that about 57% of Target’s regular customers are Amazon Prime members.

Target Restock is initially only available to holders of Target’s Redcard. Customers will not be able to redeem coupons or other special promotions, including Cartwheel offers, through Restock. However, they will receive a 5% discount for using the Redcard. In addition to the Twin Cities, the service is also being tested in other parts of the state such as St. Cloud, Red Wing and Stillwater. Eligibility is based on ZIP codes and customers’ proximity to a participating Target store.

Target hopes to quickly expand the service to other markets if the test goes well in Minnesota.

“We’re going to go as fast as we possibly can,” Mike McNamara, Target’s chief technology and digital officer, told the Star Tribune. “But it really depends on whether we’ve got a proposition that our guest thinks is fantastic.”

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