Why You Should Shop Target Deal Days

Target Deal Days are back this October. And even though we haven’t gotten through Halloween yet (as I write this article), retailers definitely want you to be thinking about holiday shopping already.

For example, recently we shopped at Costco. As soon as we walked into our local warehouse, I saw Christmas trees lined up next to Halloween costumes.

However, if you want to get a head start on holiday shopping and save some money, then you’ll want to mark your October calendar for these deal days at Target.

When are Target Deal Days

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In 2022, Target had two deal days. The first was in July, timed to coincide with Amazon Prime Day deals. The second set of Target Deal Days are October 6 through October 8. 

You can take advantage of Target Deal Days in October whether you shop in person or online. Also, you can get your Deal Days’ purchases delivered to your home, or you can pick up in store or do drive up.

We love Target Drive Up. It’s how we did all of our Target shopping through 2020 and 2021.

target employee at drive up location.

Target Deal Days price match guarantee

I recently wrote about price matching and price adjustment policies at popular stores. Target is included in that article.

Well, starting October 6, with the kick off of Deal Days, Target has upped the price match ante. What I mean is this: Target is offering way more ways you can qualify for a price match at the store.

Here are some examples of the original as well as the expanded price match guarantee at Target.

Target price matches itself

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Target says it will price match itself. That is, if you buy a qualifying item at a Target store and then find the identical item for less at Target.com, you’ll get the difference refunded back to you.

You can make a price match request the day you purchase something. On the other hand, if you discover this price adjustment opportunity within 14 days of your purchase, Target will honor that. That’s the normal price match guarantee.

Here’s the expanded price match guarantee starting October 6 during Deal Days: if you purchase an item in store or online and the price goes lower at Target on or before December 24, 2022, you can request a price match. Proof of purchase is required for price adjustments.

Unfortunately, Target excludes shoppers in Alaska and Hawaii from this price match guarantee. Sorry!

Matching a competitor’s price

You can find a full list of stores that Target considers its competitors at Target.com. Search in the help section on the Target website for the question “What is Target’s price match policy?”

With regards to these competitors it will price match, it’s the same thing as the regular price match guarantee. That is, you have 14 days after purchase to make this price adjustment request.

You’ll need to bring proof that the competitor is selling the exact make and model at a lower price. Target says the following:

“Please bring the entire printed ad, or show the online price or digital version of the ad on your mobile device for proof of price. Original receipts or packing slips are required for price adjustments after purchase.”

Who are Target’s online competitors

I grabbed the list of the stores Target considers to be its online competitors. These are the stores they’ll price match within 14 days. 

It’s a pretty extensive and impressive list, don’t you think? Anyway, keep in mind that Target will not price match lightning deals or Amazon Prime Exclusive deals, such as those during Prime Days.

  • Amazon.com
  • Apple.com
  • Bestbuy.com
  • Barnesandnoble.com
  • Buybuybaby.com
  • Chewy.com
  • Costco.com
  • CVS.com
  • DicksSportingGoods.com
  • Gamestop.com
  • HomeDepot.com
  • JCPenney.com
  • Kmart.com
  • Kohls.com
  • Lowes.com
  • Macys.com
  • Newegg.com
  • OfficeDepot.com
  • Petco.com
  • Petsmart.com
  • SamsClub.com
  • Sears.com
  • Sephora.com
  • Staples.com
  • Ulta.com
  • Walmart.com
  • Wayfair.com

National brands at Target

While I can’t tell you if there will be savings on specific brands during Deal Days, here’s what I can tell you: in 2022 Target inked a deal to have certain brands for sale in Target stores. Here are two worth noting.

Ulta Inside Target

For example, now you can shop at Ulta inside Target. I get many of my hair care products at Ulta.

This includes Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It styling cream and Curlsmith conditioning hair wash. I was so excited to find both at my local Target with the Ulta inside.

This Curlsmith product is included in my article about styling curly hair.

You can use this link on the Ulta website to find the Target stores with an Ulta shop inside of them.

FAO Schwarz Toys at Target

As someone who grew up in the greater New York City area, the FAO Schwarz toy store on Fifth Avenue was a must-visit holiday destination. You may recall the giant floor “piano” from the long-ago Tom Hanks movie “Big.” Well, that was at the FAO Schwarz NYC store.

While that store no longer exists–I believe it’s an Apple Store now–I was thrilled to learn two things. One, FAO Schwarz is back in New York City. Now, the store is in Rockefeller Center.

And, two, FAO Schwarz brand toys are available at Target. The partnership is called FAO Schwarz X Target.

Find out why Target is a great place to find last minute gifts for kids.

When I checked out Target.com, that aforementioned floor piano was one of the products you can buy. I’ve linked to it here.

Did you know you’ll get a $5 Target gift card when you get your flu shot in store this year.

Other ways to save at Target outside Deal Days

There are a number of other ways to save money at Target throughout the year. These range from getting a small discount for bringing your own bags to using the Target Circle app. Let me explain a bit more about how the Target Circle app works.

Savings with Target Circle app

I have the Target Circle app on my phone. It’s free to download and use–no membership fee required. 

What does the Circle app do for me? Well, every time I shop at Target, I earn cash back on the app. This happens online or in store.

In fact, if you look under “Wallet” in the Circle app, you’ll see something that says “Show my barcode.” If you bring that up when you checkout in the store, you get credit for your purchase.

Eventually, I can use that cash back to apply to future Target purchases. It’s not life-changing money, but it does add up. 

Also, from time to time, Target will have exclusive bonus offers in the app to earn or save even more. I imagine throughout the holiday season–and during Deal Days in October–we’ll see more of these.

Don’t miss out on Target Circle Week deals for Target Circle members exclusively.

5% off with Target Red Card

If you’re in the market for a new credit card and like to shop at Target, it might make sense to sign up for the Target Red Card. You’ll get 5% off on all of your Target purchases.

Now, keep in mind that there are different Red Card versions. One, there is the Target exclusive Red Card. It’s a credit card that you can use at Target only.

Two, there is a Target Red Card Mastercard. You’ll get 2% back when you use this at other retailers and, of course, the 5% off at Target.

And, three, there is a Target Red Card debit card. This draws directly from your checking account. I would not recommend getting a debit card because they don’t offer any sort of purchase protections the way a MasterCard, VISA, Discover or American Express card do.

More about the Target Red Card here.

Updates on Target Deal Days

As Target announces more Deal Days, well, deals, I’ll update this article accordingly. In the meantime, if you have any questions for me, please ask away.

This article explains everything you need to know about Target’s return policy