Target to match online prices with online rivals

The timing of the price-matching policy heading into the Holiday season is ideal, and coupled with competitive shipping prices, creates a price-attractive consumer environment both in-store and online. Now it’s the norm.

Target Corp. will be expanding its price-matching policy and match the online prices of 29 retailers, up from five, according to a report from the StarTribune.

Fewer than 500 workers are expected to lose their jobs at the world’s largest retailer, the Journal said.

Price-matching has become more common, particularly since the growth of mobile shopping, according to Nicholson.

Although many retailers have for years matched the prices in local competitors’ print ads, matching online prices is a recent phenomenon. At the same time, Wal-Mart is trying to maintain low prices to fend off rivals.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) is planning to lay off hundreds of people at its headquarters in Arkansas as part of the retail giant’s efforts to pare costs, people familiar with the matter said.

Walmart, Target’s chief rival, matches prices with 30 competitors. The Sam’s Club consists of membership- warehouse clubs and runs in 48 states in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico, along with digital retail. At the end of 2014, Target made it official that it is matching its store tariffs with online price tags from sites like Amazon.com.

Walmart customers can order groceries online with free store pickup in 13 markets, the company announced Tuesday. Teams of customer service representatives at Target.com now help customers match prices with a simple phone call.

Walmart customers in Tucson will soon have a new option when it comes to grocery shopping: online ordering and free pickup at two stores.

“We now have one consistent and seamless policy across the board”, said Reck.

Walmart already offers a pickup service where you can order online and buy items, such as a kayak, that are not available at that particular store, Harden said. Plus, Target will give shoppers 14 days to find a better price – up from seven days.