I’m a frequent shopper at both Wal-Mart and Target and there are definitely many areas that are different in both stores. Here is a comparison:
FIRST IMPRESSION:
While Wal-Mart may have the door greeters, which all the Targets I’ve been to seem to lack, I really don’t feel like being greeted by some woman with a blank stare and a seemingly horrible demeanor. I would prefer to not be greeted at all, rather than by someone who looks at you as if he/she doesn’t care or acts like he/she doesn’t even see you. That being said, I have not been to every Wal-Mart that there is – there may be plenty of friendly, smiling greeters at every other Wal-Mart in the country; however, I have never been to a Wal-Mart with a friendly door greeter.
STORE APPEARANCE:
Now, Wal-Mart and Target both have stores that fall into the “supercenter” category. Regular Wal-Marts and Targets look decent and are fairly clean; the supercenters, as should be expected, are generally neater. Between Wal-Mart and Target, I really have to say that Target’s store appearance is often better than Wal-Mart’s.
SELECTION/PRICE:
A few years ago, it seems that Wal-Mart was the major low-cost, get-a-bunch-of-stuff-for-cheap store; Target used to be pretty expensive by comparison. Well, with all of these improvements and store upgrades, Wal-Mart has upped their prices. Target has, as well, but now the stores both seem pretty close as far as price. That being said, selection should be considered. Wal-Marts seem to have more of a selection while Targets have a better selection; meaning, Wal-Mart has plenty of things, but the things that Target has are of a higher quality. In short, Wal-Mart has quantity and Target has quality.
SHOPPING EASE:
I don’t know what is going on with all of these Wal-Marts. Trust me – when a regular Wal-Mart changes to a Wal-Mart Supercenter, nothing seems to be where it once was. The general consensus of Target, as far as upgrades and product-placement is that the stores, whether they are regular or supercenters, have just about the same layout. While that is true in most cases, Target stores also seem to be easier to shop in. The stores just have a better flow. As someone who used to shop at a regular Wal-Mart that has been changed to a Wal-Mart Supercenter, I have come to find that the layout of the supercenters is just a little awkward!
CHECK-OUT:
Now, here is where neither store gets my votes. I have run into rude cashiers at both stores; and I am not one to complain, so the fact that I’ve had to complain at a Target once and a Target twice isn’t saying much for either store. I feel that they both need to evaluate potential employees a little better.