Secrets Of Target's Grocery Section You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

Shop on Tuesdays for cheaper prices

Many retailers have specific days of the week that are ideal for snagging deals or discovering new products, and Target is no exception. While weekends might be your usual grocery shopping time, consider adjusting your routine to visit during the week. According to various online sources, Target follows an "unofficial markdown schedule." Although this may differ by location, it seems that Tuesdays are designated as the day for food markdowns.

It's worth checking out your local Target to see if you can indeed find discounts on food items on Tuesdays. Since new shipments of food and fresh produce arrive on that day, you’re likely to see Target staff reducing prices on last week’s fresh produce and other food products to make room for the new stock. Once you’ve figured out the markdown schedule at your local Target, you can plan your shopping trips around the days when you might score fantastic deals on food, fresh produce, and bakery items.

Download Target's Circle app for deals and use the store card for 5% off everything

To ensure you don't miss out on any promotions, it's beneficial to download the Target app. You can use it while shopping in-store, order items for pickup, or opt for curbside delivery, as well as home delivery. Additionally, it's handy to quickly check the app for specific items before heading out to confirm their availability.

Once you download the Target app and set up an account, you automatically gain access to the free Circle membership. The Circle program has recently undergone improvements. Previously, you had to manually apply deals through the app before checking out, which could be tedious with a full cart. Now, Target automatically applies the discounts at checkout, eliminating the need for you to search for them.

Moreover, using a Target credit card (the Target Circle Card) grants you a 5% discount on your total purchase and free two-day shipping. Cardholders also receive a discount on the paid Circle 360 membership. As for whether this service is worthwhile, it may be beneficial for frequent Target shoppers who often utilize same-day delivery. However, for most customers, the free Circle membership combined with a store credit card is likely the most advantageous option.

Don't overlook Target's store brands

In contrast to shopping at Trader Joe's, you can easily discover national store brands in the grocery aisles of Target. However, don't underestimate Target's own grocery brands. By exploring Target's three private labels, you can uncover unique products, popular favorites, and cost savings. These private brands are Favorite Day, Market Pantry, and Good & Gather.

Market Pantry has been the longest-standing brand, having been introduced in 2001. While Market Pantry products are still available, Good & Gather has gained prominence with a broader range of offerings. Additionally, Target's newest brand, Favorite Day, made its debut in 2021, featuring delightful sweet treats with playful flavors like Sea Monster Ice Cream and Gummi Sharks. While Favorite Day focuses on fun sweets, Good & Gather, the largest of the three, is more practical. Good & Gather products are generally more affordable than name brands and are made without artificial flavors and many common additives. Recent product reviews from Chowhound highlighted Good & Gather's cottage cheese and orange juice as top performers.

Target's sparkling water is budget-friendly and tastes great

Target's Good & Gather brand offers sparkling water at more affordable prices compared to name brands. For instance, my local Target has Good & Gather priced at $3.29 for an eight-pack, which is cheaper than similar packs of Waterloo and La Croix available at the store. The Good & Gather line also features exciting flavors like Pomegranate Dragon Fruit, Yuzu Mandarin, and Peach Bellini.

Customers have expressed their appreciation for these sparkling waters, with one Reddit user stating, "Yuzu and Mandarin is my absolute favorite!! I also enjoy the raspberry hibiscus. Honestly, they have so many delicious flavors. The Good & Gather brand is my top choice for sparkling water; I was hooked as soon as I tried it." Another fan remarked, "The strawberry mango reminds me a lot of Bubly's Bellini Bliss. Now I'm on the lookout for more mango flavors."

Check out the end caps for special deals

While experienced shoppers are often cautious about end cap displays—since they are a common marketing tactic designed to encourage additional spending—Target does provide some genuine bargains. End caps are the prominent sections located at the ends of each aisle. Many grocery stores showcase eye-catching products or new seasonal items in these spots, aiming to entice customers who are primarily shopping for essentials to try something new and exciting.

However, Target frequently utilizes its end cap spaces to feature clearance items, so make sure to look for special offers during your next visit. You might discover significant discounts or clearance products, allowing you to score a great deal rather than overspending. Just keep in mind not to purchase items you hadn't planned on buying; this is when end cap promotions can end up costing you more than you intended.

Combine double coupons with the store card savings

Here’s how to maximize your savings at Target with coupons. First, download the app, sign up for a Target account, and gain access to Target Circle savings offers. Second, you can stack Target store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons for even greater discounts. Lastly, use your Target credit card to enjoy an extra 5% off your entire purchase.

Additionally, a recent update to Target's policy allows you to shop online or through the Target app and choose delivery or in-store pickup while still utilizing Circle deals, store coupons, manufacturer’s coupons, and the 5% savings from your Target card. Previously, you could only apply Target store coupons for online orders, and manufacturer’s coupons had to be redeemed in-store. Now, with the ability to combine all three types of coupons along with the store card, customers can significantly enhance their savings whether shopping online or in-store.

Target has a price match policy

If you discover an item being sold for less at another retailer, it might be beneficial to utilize Target's price match policy. According to this policy, if you present proof of the lower price—either at the checkout or at guest services—an employee will adjust the price of your item to match it. Additionally, if you have purchased an item from Target that has since dropped in price within the last 14 days, you can bring it in and receive a refund for the difference.

Target occasionally offers promotions that extend the price match period for items purchased at Target when they go on sale, particularly during the holiday season. However, the item must be in stock at either Walmart or Amazon, as stated on Target's official website. Keep in mind that price matches are not available for items from eBay or other third-party sellers.

This policy can be advantageous if you have one or two high-value items that are significantly cheaper at Walmart or Amazon. However, if you come across numerous lower-priced items that only save you a small amount, it may not be worth the effort. Remember that the cashier will need to verify each price and enter it manually, which can take extra time.

People really like Target's frozen pizzas

People often feel strongly about their favorite frozen pizza brands. After all, it's a convenient weeknight option and significantly cheaper than ordering delivery. However, just because it's frozen doesn't mean it can't taste almost as good as takeout—or at least come close. If you're looking for an easy frozen pizza to bake, consider trying Target's Good & Gather brand.

Target's Good & Gather Four-Cheese Pizza Rising Crust took the top spot in a blind taste test conducted by Bon Appétit. The review praised the pizza for its "complex and richly flavored sauce, a light and stretchy cheese topping, and, most importantly, a sturdy, crispy crust." Additionally, Good & Gather's Self-Rising Crust Uncured Pepperoni Frozen Pizza received positive reviews from The New York Times Wirecutter. One Reddit user even declared the Signature Wood-Fired Margherita Frozen Pizza as "the best frozen pizza I've ever had, no exaggeration."

You can get big savings on holiday candy after the holiday

This isn't exclusive to Target—most retailers offer clearance discounts on seasonal merchandise once the holiday has passed. However, it's definitely worth checking out Target if you're looking for affordable candy and don't mind the holiday theme. While you're on the hunt for discounted wrapping paper for next year, swing by the seasonal candy aisle to see what bargains you can uncover. And don’t forget to look for baked goods and other holiday-themed treats that may also be marked down after the festivities.

That said, it's best to hold off on visiting Target right after Christmas. On December 26, holiday items will be discounted by 50%, which will increase to 70% off from December 27 to 29. If you can wait until January, the Krazy Coupon Lady indicates that Target's clearance schedule offers up to 90% off holiday items starting January 4. This includes candy, snacks, gingerbread house kits, holiday foods, wrapping paper, and other Christmas decorations. This strategy applies to Easter, Halloween, and other holidays as well. The day after these holidays, items typically go on sale for 50%, but if you can hold out for a week, you might be able to snag up to 90% off seasonal products.

Earn five cents for each reusable bag you bring

While this may not lead to significant savings, it’s a nice bonus if you already use reusable bags or are thinking about it. Target offers a five-cent discount for each reusable bag you use to carry your purchases. You don’t need to go through a staffed checkout to receive this discount. If you’re at a cashier lane, simply inform them of the number of reusable bags you have. If you’re using a self-checkout, you can enter the number of bags manually to apply the discount.

Additionally, depending on your location, you might incur a bag fee for drive-up and pick-up orders. As stated on the Target website, "Different stores have different bag policies," and "to avoid fees, let us know you'll bring your own bags to the store." If this applies to your area, Target allows you to opt out of using their bags and bring your own instead.

Good & Gather Salad Kits hit the mark

We all recognize the importance of incorporating more greens into our meals. However, the thought of washing, preparing, and chopping a variety of fresh vegetables for a salad can feel overwhelming, especially on a hectic weeknight. That’s where bagged salad kits come to the rescue. Target offers a great selection of chopped salad kits, including flavors like Avocado Ranch, Classic Caesar, and Nashville-Style Hot Chopped Salad Kit. While some salad kits may feature wilted greens and bland dressings, Target's options receive high praise.

One Reddit user remarked, "Target's Good and Gather chopped salad kits are always a hit, and the variety keeps things interesting." The Avocado Ranch kit boasts a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Target website, based on 786 reviews. The Nashville-Style Hot Chopped Salad Kit has an impressive 4.7 stars out of 5, with over 1,000 ratings. One reviewer shared, "This salad is absolutely delicious. It's warm and spicy, creamy, and the crunchy pickles are just right... Easily one of my favorite store-bought salads." Best of all, these kits are currently on sale for just $3.49 each.

Look for Target stores with expanded grocery sections

Not all Target stores are the same. Generally, the bigger the store, the more extensive the grocery section will be. A larger grocery department means a wider variety of food options, including fresh produce, meats, deli items, and baked goods. In contrast, some of the older, smaller Target locations may have a more limited selection of groceries. Nevertheless, Target has been focusing on enhancing its grocery offerings in recent years by providing more variety.

Previously known as SuperTarget, many of the larger stores have since dropped that name, and even the biggest locations are now simply referred to as Target after renovations. A former Target employee shared on Reddit, "The SuperTarget branding is no longer in use, but the concept remains. There are still large-format stores with produce, deli, bakery, etc., but they are just labeled as regular Targets." So, while you won't find the SuperTarget name anymore, keep an eye out for larger locations to access the most options.

Target offers both name brand and store brand options

One advantage of shopping at Target compared to a store like Trader Joe's is that Target not only provides private label products but also carries well-known name brands. You can find unique items, such as Favorite Day Peppermint Whipped Dairy Topping, alongside popular brands like Reddi-Wip. While Target's store brands are often of good quality and typically priced lower than name brands, having a wide range of options available in one location is a definite perk.

Additionally, shopping at a larger store with an extensive inventory has its benefits. While stores like Aldi and Trader Joe's can be enjoyable, there are times when you may need to make an extra trip to gather all your essentials. The advantage of a visit to Target is that you can conveniently find everything you might need all in one place.