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Target is getting more aggressive with price matching this holiday.
By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com
In the perennial war among discount superstores Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart for shoppers' dollars, the edge goes to the retailer with the best and the most bargains. Cheapism found that Wal-Mart scores a clear win with the cheapest prices and largest selection and holds its own in other realms that frugal and savvy customers consider important -- convenience, a pleasant shopping environment, and products they consider a good value. Target is pressing in from a position of strength and Kmart, once the biggest of the three, no longer competes in any aspect we considered important.
For this in-depth comparison of Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart, in the 50th anniversary year for each, Cheapism took a multi-pronged approach. We sent a researcher into each store to check prices and evaluate the shopping experience. We also conducted consumer and expert interviews, fielded a Facebook poll, and analyzed online reviews.
By the Numbers
On price alone, Wal-Mart leads the pack. When we totaled up a shopping cart of 30 identical and like items, including clothing, electronics, groceries, health and beauty supplies, home goods, and toys, the bill came to $1,776.15 at Wal-Mart, $1,866.10 at Target, and $2,092.82 at Kmart. What's more, Wal-Mart's price-matching policy doesn't require consumers to show a competitor's print ad in order to pay a lower price. Target is upping the ante this holiday season, however, by extending its own guarantee to online prices from Nov. 1 to Dec. 16.
Price Isn't Everything
While its prices are modestly higher on many items, "Tar-zhay" enjoys a reputation for relative quality and attention to design, particularly in areas such as apparel and home goods. Consumers gravitate to Target's clothing lines for their fashionable styling and durability. A Facebook poll respondent extols the retailer's other store brands, saying that the Up & Up baby products, for example, parallel pricier name brands. Wal-Mart carries a more basic selection of clothing, including heavy work clothes such as coveralls and thermal flannel shirts. Kmart showcases a couple of celebrity lines, but its offerings didn't register with the sources we queried.
Wal-Mart and Target appear to field plenty of employees on the shopping floor who were almost uniformly friendly and accommodating during our site visits. Kmart, by contrast, seemed woefully understaffed and the few employees present weren't all that willing to help out. One irritant common to all three discount retailers: long waits and other problems at checkout. We found that too few lanes were open to handle the crush of shoppers and numerous consumers posted negative experiences on our Facebook page.
The atmosphere varies by location, of course, but generally shoppers perceive Target as well-organized, tidy, and calm. Wal-Mart strikes some consumers as frenzied and crowded, a tad overwhelming, and occasionally in need of a quick cleanup, according to our research. Kmart disappoints with understocked shelves, messy displays, poor signage, and generally scruffy facilities.
From Florida to California, Black Friday fever has taken hold earlier than ever as dedicated shoppers camp out in front of major retailers, several of which are expected to open their doors on Thanksgiving Day. NBC's Diana Alvear reports.
Goods and Services
All three retailers stock a variety of products in numerous departments, from foodstuffs to office supplies to jewelry and more. For the most part, Target and especially Wal-Mart have become one-stop-shopping destinations. With thousands of stores scattered about the country, they are within convenient reach of many consumers. Target is expanding the grocery offerings in more than 200 stores this year but still has a ways to go to catch up with Wal-Mart, which includes full-service grocery departments complete with bakeries and delis in its 3,000 Wal-Mart Supercenters. Kmart stocks a more limited assortment of products -- particularly groceries -- in addition to charging higher prices.
Pharmacies at all three retailers' locations sell generic medications at low prices, although Kmart levies a $10 annual fee to obtain low-cost prescriptions. Some Target stores and many Wal-Mart locations contain health clinics and vision centers, as well. Kmart's health services don't extend much farther than flu shots and periodic "health events" such as blood pressure checks.
Wal-Mart and Target both feature photo processing. Wal-Mart provides the greatest variety of financial services, but all three retailers issue credit and/or debit cards. We found that an offer of 5% savings on all purchases and free shipping for online orders has made Target's REDcards a consumer favorite. Kmart stands out only for its well-known layaway program, for which it's waiving the service fee through Nov. 21. Wal-Mart supports the layaway option, as well, but only during the holiday shopping season.
The three stores also maintain extensive online inventories, and Wal-Mart's website includes a marketplace for third-party sellers. Wal-Mart.com offers free shipping to a local store and some items qualify for free home delivery if the order exceeds $45. Eligible items at Target must total $50 for free shipping. Kmart offers a fee-based membership for frequent shoppers that comes with free shipping on many items. In online reviews, consumers cite shipping-related problems with all three retailers.
Ranking the Discount Retailers
What factored into Cheapism's final verdict:
1. Wal-Mart
- Lowest prices, generous ad-matching policy
- Thousands of Supercenters with vast inventory, especially in grocery
- User-friendly website with myriad offerings and free Site to Store shipping
- Full selection of services, including photo developing, portrait studio, health clinics, vision centers, and holiday-season layaway
2. Target
- Fashionable clothing and home goods, reputation for quality
- Modest prices
- Clean stores with well-organized displays and helpful employees
- Calm atmosphere that makes for easy shopping
3. Kmart
- Highest prices
- Limited selection, especially in grocery
- Disgruntled and unavailable employees
- Empty shelves and unkempt displays
More from Cheapism:
Black Friday apps
Black Friday sales resources
Black Friday toy deals review
Leave a Comment:
Wal-Mart's service is becoming increasingly poor. Just because you have a greeter at the entrance doesn't mean you have sufficient employees in the store to whom you can go and ask questions about where things exist or respond to your questions.
You still have door greeters?
We're in the Midwest, and if you want answers you'll find yourself at Best Buy where even the warranty's are real.
Won't shop at Walmart again. Bought clothing that fell apart or shrunk a lot after two washings. Had to buy replacements and went to Target. One Walmart item cost $19.99. Replacement from Target was $29.99. I lost $10 in that deal and am not happy.
Price isn't everything. Quality of product is important. It's a false economy to buy cheap.....and then reap a dud.
I NEVER go to Target. I find the people that work there to be rude, and snobby. I find the very same products at Target that are in Walmart, except they cost more. I'm not paying for the name. KMart people are very pleasant, and I find the Walmart people that work there are also very helpful and pleasant. I have also been noticing that Walmart has more and more made in America products. And WalMart is also one of America's largest employers. I'm sticking with WalMart.
China has the best deals.....all 3 stores are stocked with most of there products
Hello folks, how many people will go out spend money they don't have on this corporate holiday and spend the rest of the year catching up and rinse and repeat the next "holiday" season?
I have an idea, how about getting together this year with your loved ones over a nice festive meal with no gifts? No pressure, no stress, just basking in the love and company of your family and friends.
This article is pretty spot on with my experience in all three stores. I have no idea how K-Mart is still in business with it's higher costs and poor customer service. I haven't been to one in the part of a decade.
I've got the highest opinion of Target. Clean, professional, and helpful although I realize this comes at a slightly higher cost compared to Wal-Mart.
With Walmart I think it really depends on what store you go to. In my hometown they're very clean and organized, but in this very urban of my current city it's always dirty, noisy, and the shelves never seem to be fully stocked. The customer service is severely lacking compared to other stores too.
I think it's just something that comes with the territory in regards to Walmart. The more urban the marketplace the worse off the store is.
If you shop at Wal-mart, you are part of the problem. Haven't shopped there in 18 years
I have NEVER had a bad experience at any Target. I may pay a few cents more than Wal-Mart but the stores are cleaner, better organized, and I get thru the checkouts faster.
Wal-Mart shopping is like going to a swap-met and having to weave your way thru the crowds and the carts that people filled and then decided to leave. Always see employees standing around gabbing while clothes are off the displays and on the ground less that 5 feet from them. Then you go to check out and see 20 checkouts, with 30 people in line at the 2 that are open. And the 2 that are open have items stacked at the end from people that changed their minds and were too damn lazy to put the items back. Got to love telling the checkers that there is a box of ice cream bars melting at the start of the checkout and they look at you with the deer in the headlights look.
K-Mart. They are dead and just refuse to walk towards the white light.
I refuse to get caught up in the rut in the first place. The season of Joy and family has turned into a season of retail greed and war and selfishness. I can't stand it, I really can't. It's all about the money and the goodies. I mean come on, black Friday is starting on Thanksgiving day now? They want to rip you away from your family to fill their pockets with more money. No thanks, I'd rather be at my Mom's house eating her dinner and seeing the family.....and drinking wine. It's not like I get to do it much anymore.
I usually just give out gift cards or shop online and I'm done. If the recipients don't like it then I guess I'll save more money next year.
walmart has lower prices due to paying their associates 30% less. That is so the savings can be passed on to the consumer. Yes, 30% less for wages. Walmart has disclosed this information years ago. Ouch. Now Walmart has cut their associates hours for the past year. Ouch again. THe associates at walmart are hurting, losing their homes, cars, nothing much on the table for Thanksgiving ...but no matter as THEY will all be working on the hoiday. Thank you Walmart. The consumer would do well to shop elsewhere since Walmart has been extremely disrespectful of their associates lives. What would Sam do? I ask you? I have shopped elsewhere and there are really great items and really great prices, things you would never find at Walmart. It would be great if Arkansas could hear this.
Every electronic good that I have bought at Walmart has broken within two months. Their furniture is particle board, covered with wood-looking vinyl stickers. Their clothes shrink after the first wash and then look like tents. Why people shop here is beyond my comprehension. Most of their produce is from Mexico--I don't want to risk getting cancer on Mexico's insecticides to save 10 cents on a bell pepper.
I have managed to avoid Wal-Mart for several years now.
I did like the cheaper prices. But when I learned about the way they treat their employees, I felt that whatever money I saved simply did not justify people's wages and hours and benefits being cut. And they are not allowed to organize to improve those things.
Plus I was not at all in agreement with the politics of the Waltons. Didn't want any of my money going in that direction!
SHOP AMAZON.COM !!!
Roosterboy, just where are you going to go to buy anything that is different from what WM has? Do you really think that the TV or Ipad at Best Buy was made any different from the one at WM?
If the furniture falls apart--maybe you should not be buying furniture in such as any mart. Do you think it would be any different if you bought the same thing at a different store. Particle board is particle board---anywhere.
Produce from Mexico? Go to the grocery store and see where the produce is from. Much of our winter produce does come from Mexico. That is where it is warm and where tropical things are grown.
I am not defending WM. It is just that I hear all the time of people thinking that something is better if purchased at a different store.
It is true, however, that WM has contracted with some manufacturers to make products only for WM. I think that this was an issue some years back with one of the denim makers. But, that is limited.
It is all the same crap!!!!
Wal Mart does not have more and more Made in America brands. Virtually everything I saw was 'Made in China" or "Made in Viet Nam. The quality of nearly every item is very low. I bought a watch there that lasted two weeks before the hands came loose and spin in the dial when I move my arm. Threw it away. I bought a shirt that said machine washable. It shrunk to half size after the first washing. The local Wal Mart store pays it employees about 75% of other stores in the area. "Wally Mart only cheap in quality" We petitioned to NOT have a Wal Mart store come into our neighborhood where they are destroying a planned shopping area for local stores and boutique shops run by local merchants with a small park set aside. Wal Mart is taking over the park set aside for their parking lot.
I enjoy shopping at target.
I go to walmart when I need stuff at a low price where quality isn't important.
I go to Kmart when someone puts a gun to my head and threatens to shoot me if I don't.
Agree completely, although I swore off going to Walmart until after Thanksgiving because they started playing Christmas music after Halloween...
Bah humbug
Got a chuckle with the comment about Target. Calm atmosphere and plenty of helpful associates. That usually means they are not busy. I will agree, Wal Mart can be a little stressful around the holiday's but I guess that speaks volumes. It is of little consequence to me, I don't get paid to bash Wal Mart anyway.
We call K-mart 'K-ma-part'.
"Came apart."
I go to Wal-Mart only when absolutely necessary. It's a Superstore, although I would never buy food there. Prices are the same as other stores in my area. And, they're all 15 miles from my house. I buy food at Kroger, Publix and sometimes Bi-Lo. I buy clothes at Penny's. They have decent prices and last. I'd shop at Target a lot more but the nearest Target is 35 miles, too far for my taste.
Mostly I buy from Amazon. Prices are cheaper as a general rule, shipping is free with $50 order and I could go on. Return policy is excellent also. I'll check there before I buy anything with the exception of food and clothing.
As for KMart, I wouldn't go there on a bet. Same thing with Sears. No help, poor quality on everything and rotten service when a person can find someone who works there. No way for the Big K.
Word on Sears. Grubby, icky, cheap and empty; a shell of its former glory.
Except for appliances.
I find that the people - the actual shoppers - at Wal-Mart tend to be more rude, don't look where they are going and just more harried. I HATE going to Wal-Mart because they also don't tend to have enough parking.
Target is my preferred go-to for most shopping trips.
Spot on. If I go to Walmart it's because I'm either extremely lazy, or it's the only thing open. I stopped shopping at WM when I opened my car door, almost stepped on a dirty diaper, passed 2 bags of McDonalds trash, and almost stepped in gum - and that was just on the way in. The clientele is what makes WM so terrible... That said, certain locations are definitely better/worse than others, but I'd still rather pay more money and shop at Target.
Come to think of it, Cat, you are right! Most of the Walmart shoppers are obnoxious and rude. Kmart may feel more downmarket, but I find the customers and the checkout clerks at my local Kmart to be much more pleasant.
And here are some shoppers at Walmart. Hope they get good buys.
â–º 3:09â–º 3:09
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghrDIQ-K8mg
I only go to Wal-mart if I have to. I am a sucker for Target though. I wish I wasn't.
I'm trying to support more local businesses, but its hard when your finances are strapped.
I avoid Kmart at ALL costs. I've had nothing but bad shopping experiences there. This story sounded as though they could have visited the Kmart near me! The store is always in shambles, items like electronic games, DVD movies, and such are kept behind crude plexiglass locked displays and there is never anyone there to unlock them or help. How do they stay in business? The parking lot is always empty.
If I had to pick one, it'd be Target though I doubt any of them will get business from me this year. I haven't been in a Kmart in several years and wouldn't even know where to find one.
Kmart is one of those companies that we root for, against all reason. Good memories of the Kmarts of yesteryear, but the problem is, it now feels like yesteryear when you walk into a Kmart. Same long rows of fluorescent lights on the ceiling, same bank of 5 checkout registers, same signage, same dirty white on the walls and floors. The problem is, my shopping expectations have been changed by Target and WalMart. Kmart just didn't keep up with the times. Name any product, and the variety of selection is thin, and it seems like all over the store the product lines have been cut waay back from what they used to be. Time to take Kmart out to the backyard, thank it for its service, and shoot it in the head.
Aren't we almost over our fascination with cheap, throw-away Chinese-made goods? "Cheap" has turned out to be costly for American workers! This Christmas, take it down a notch, buy fewer or smaller gifts and vote with your pocketbook by encouraging local small businesses and craftspeople.
Everybody talks about this, but so very few practice it - Make it a point to look at the tag on EVERY ITEM YOU BUY. You'll be disgusted at how much of it is made in China. Just yesterday I almost bought an NFL jersey for as a gift - made in china. Dad's a big hunter and I was looking at some clothing by Browning - made in china. Looked at some workout gear from Under Armour - made in china. PATHETIC. So many times I find a nice dress shirt and DON'T buy it because, you guessed it. So many things just aren't made here in the US at all, so I find I have to buy a lot of things from Bangladesh, Mexico, Canada, Sri Lanka, etc. but it beats China
Yes, it is disturbing to find items at both Target and Walmart made in China. Even high prices stores like Nordstroms. I've also bought items online from SAMS Club and discovered when they arrived, that they were made in China....and very cheaply. Had missing parts and poor design. Needless to say I sent the item packing.
What to do?
My gifts this year are going to be the same as last year. I give gift cards to grocery stores, and I pay money towards my kids cable bills, or just give them money period. We are no more better off this year as we were last year, but maybe becuase we are in for four more BAD years. I am giving food, money and some clothing this year just like last year. And I don't have a problem shopping at Walmart, I do have a problem shopping at Target with the snobs. They have the very same products at Target that they have at Walmart, but they cost less at Walmart. And what's wrong with greeters? I find them to be very pleasant.
here you go:
Please go to Madeinusaforever.com for made in the U.S.
A. Products. They are out there.
Have long accepted that virtually no clothes, toys, shoes, electronics, etc are made here. Am drawing the line on FOOD however - I DO NOT TRUST food made in China. Check out that next bag of frozen vegetables, chances are some or all of it comes from China. Same with Apple Juice made from concentrate, many types of canned & prepackaged fruit, a lot of candy, and quite a few of the pre-baked gingerbread house kits (even those @ Target). This has all seemed to be happening in last few years & coincidentally there have been numerous reports of Chinese tainted food, milk, etc. If unscrupulous vendors over there will taint the milk they feed to their own "one child per family" children (very precious indeed when they can have only one), do you think they care about what is shipped to the US?
Perhaps because I can afford it more than some of the "Black Friday" shoppers, but count me OUT. I will NOT be climbing over people to get a POS oversized TV. You know the TV's they "Blow out" are usually like the WORST TV's going right? I will not contribute to the race to the bottom and reward these retailers for diminishing the value of our holidays and traditions making family time a casualty in the process. Outside of the newest toy just released, A LOT of these deals can be had online anyway provided you shop IN ADVANCE. Plus the newest toy rarely gets discounted much, cause it's going to sell out either way. My family and I will be HOME for Thanksgiving AND black Friday and I am PROUD to say it! I encourage everyone else to do the same. If they have poor sales on these days, perhaps they'll get the message not to do it. If you pad their wallets, it's just going to get worse! All big the retailers I see are opening at 8PM on Thanksgiving. DEPLORABLE!
AMEN! In my adult life I have only gone out on Black Friday (when it was still Friday) twice, once to see what it looked like a few hours after the doors opened and the other to buy a few things for myself. I don't support anything that is stupidly well in advance of what it should be...like Valentine's candy out at Christmas. Maybe if we embrace the meaning of the holidays and lose a bit of the Capitalism our country would return to some form of the normal a bunch of us remember from childhood.
Having a problem with crowds, I've NEVER done Black Friday - except when I was working retail. I just don't see the point of going to a crowded scene to get a few items any way. And the way that Black Friday has crept into Thanksgiving upsets me. But the only way to get it to stop is to STOP SHOPPING at those idiotic sales and to let the retailers who are opening on Thursday know that until they put their EMPLOYEES before their POCKETS. If they don't have employees they don't have a store.
I do about 1/2 my grocery shopping at WM. I split the other 1/2 between two other stores because WM doesn't carry a variety.
I buy my jeans at WM because the buyers at target think that every woman should be short and they don't want tall women shopping at their store. (we must be intimidating)
I buy small appliances, bedding, towels, and cookware from target because they carry better brands. (Oster and Kitchen-aid)
I buy dishes from Kohls or Macys because I'm trying to build up my fiesta ware, and the cheapy stores do not carry it. (I guess because all their buyers are in china and fiesta ware is made in the US)
At K-mart I buy my socks and underwear because I always get gift cards for K-mart from my dad and I don't know anything else to buy there.
I have tried grocery shopping at Walmart and Target but have been frustrated with both because of their lack of variety. Now, the chain supermarkets have lowered prices to the point there is not a big advantage of grocery shopping at Walmart or Target...
One thing NOT mentioned in the article, went to look for a bicycle at ALL three, Target, Walmart and KMart. They are ALL the same, all the bicycles are made in China. They all kowtow to mainland Chinese Despotism. I was not looking for "made in USA" but just NOT made in China ( & not a few other tyranical Regimes). Hey, Walmart, Kmart, & Target, could you at least limit your products from Government Run Tyranical "Companies" such as from the Regime illegally occupying the Government Offices in Beijing?
PS ended up with no new bicycle
I am so old, I remember when Walmart's big draw was that they were proud to carry American-made items! I think that was before Sam Walton died....
In this case you should avoid Made in USA as well.
Did this article really say that Wal-Mart has a "pleasant shopping experience?" Good grief! Kmart is incredibly depressing, Wal-Mart is incredibly disgusting. Target is the only way to go.
Target is for snobs. I find the people that work there to be extremely rude.And as far as their product line being better, it's not it's the same. They all carry the same products by the same manufaturer's. Walmart is just less costly. And I find their greeter is always pleasant. I went into WalMart looking for a digital camera as a gift for my 84 year old mom that has parkinsons. The woman in the camera shop there was very helpful and she also pointed out the fact that there are some camera's that are anti-shake which is perfect for my mom. And the price was right too.
I guess I'm a snob then, and I disagree with the product similarities. Target's store brands (i.e. Archer Farms, Up & Up, etc.) are much better than Walmart's Equate & Great Vaule. Target's clothing lines are also much better.
Yes, Walmart may be cheaper, but I don't mind paying a little more for a lot less stress.
Target as Walmart are the same. Target is cleaner simply because they have fewer shoppers due to higher prices.
Target is an over priced K Mart !... Walmart is Evil ;) Don't go to either, K-Mart about once a year. Used to shop Amazon, but now that they are charging CA sales tax I'll buy from their out of state affiliates.
Walmart is disgusting. It's dirty, the employees seem like they don't bathe very often, either. It's only a few pennies cheaper than Target, which is always clean and bright, with plenty of employees on the floor to answer questions.
Where's the "none of the above" choice? Anytime I enter one of these three stores, I feel the need to take a shower afterwards. They always seem to be just filthy.
Gee, the Target near me is so clean! Walmart is so-so, Kmart pretty grungy. But Kmart has great sales!
hockeymom, Most of their products come from the SAME factories of Child Labor of Government Run "Companies" of the Despotic Regime in mainland China which makes ALL 3 of them depressing and disgusting to visit. Going to them is like going on tour of a mainland Chinese Factory.
I am surprised that Kmart is listed as having high prices. I pop into my nearest Kmart about once a month; their sale prices are amazing! And the best thing is that often they haven't changed prices on the tags, and the actual price at the checkout is LOWER than marked, so you get a pleasant surprise when you already think you are getting a good bargain, but you find it is even cheaper!
I prefer to shop at Walmart mostly because just about everything I need is there and I know where to find it. I've been to K-Mart only a handful of times and I don't plan on going back regularly. There's never really much there, and the prices for what IS there are usually enough to send me back out the door. I can't speak for Target because I haven't been to one in a few years and I don't even know where one is down here on my side of town (though I can count and name at least 3 Walmarts within 20 miles of my house).
From my last trip to Target some two years ago, I can say that the atmosphere in Target is much warmer than at any Walmart I've been to, which I attribute to the lighting, color schemes in decorating, and the lower ceilings (yes, that has a lot to do with it). Walmart is just more convenient (and cheaper) and the level of service, though not drop-dead excellent, is passable enough to keep me going back. I find I get better service if I make some off-the-wall statement and put a smile on their faces.
Wal-Mart has a pleasant shopping experience? Please... Chinese outlet store, Overcrowded, rude shoppers, rude associates and frequent whiffs of body odors. The definition of where I don't want to shop. Target is nice, but is increasingly becoming Wal-Mart part II. K-Mart is on life support. I don't think the one here in town has updated anything since 1987. It's dirty, dark and understaffed.
A couple of years ago WalMart decided to clean up their stores, remove the palettes from the isles and add more top name labels. Their core shoppers didn't like it and WalMart changed their minds....a real shame, because I had a new WalMart near me that looked really, really nice and hoped all the stores would move in that direction.....I shop at Target and refuse to shop at WalMart because they are always so dirty and the customers and employees are rude. It's not worth it to save a few dollars.
I shop amazon online in my pjs and a nice cup of tea at hand.
Best shopping Ive ever done and Ive done it for years now :)
The big box stores always disappointed me when I actually went there and you come home frazzled and exhausted. Why bother?
and there is no tax to pay. and very often no shipping.
Here's a thought - none of the above. All these companies pay their employees below living wages. Shop local and buy less but higher quality items, preferably made in the U.S. so we can have jobs that actually pay enough to support our families.
If I were part of upper management at Sears/K-Mart, I'd take this as a wake up call.
I absolutely HATE the Super Wal-Mart closest to me, I actually have a photo album on my Facebook page dedicated to the shenanigans that go on there! Which is mostly to say, SUPER LONG LINES! Your frozen goods melt before you even reach the cashier! Not to mention the store is dirty, no one, and I do mean no one, speaks ENGLISH, so you couldn't get help if you wanted to. Unfortunately I do shop there for my groceries, and other random household items, because it is dirt cheap compared to Target (which I LOVE). I don't buy any clothing at Wal-Mart-it's not fashionable, and is cheaply made. I do buy some clothing for my granddaughter there, because she grows like a weed anyway. My Wal-Mart experience is great up in North Carolina, where we go on vacation, so I know its not Wal-Mart in general. I really just laugh when I see a Wal-Mart commercial, with really friendly employees, clean aisles, etc...because it doesn't EXIST at my local store!
I am INTENTIONALLY not shopping at any retailer that is opening before 5 am on Friday. I am going out of my way to spend my money at stores that respect the holiday, and their employees.
Shop Saturday for Small Business Day...support businesses in your area!
Shop http://www.Etsy.com all weekend for both small business Saturday AND Cyber Monday. All of the people selling on Etsy are small businesses (I should know ... I'm one of them and other than me, there ARE no employees).
I don't buy anything at walmart, that i don't plan to return. walmart is my favorite rental store. and the best part is , i aways get my my money back after the rental is is returned. then, just think, i don't have to store anything and i always get a new item the next time i need to rent it again. what a great place to shop. just remember, always pay in cash and you always get cash back. never a gift card.