It’s funny how a store that, in principal, is essentially WalMart, and can be entirely embraced by a subset of culture that emphatically denies WalMart - yuppies.

Target is a big chain discount store, just like WalMart, and sells cheap bulk goods, from food to housegoods and clothing to pharmaceuticals to music and electronics and office supplies.

But the similarities basically end there. Unlike WalMart, and, cities have embraced Target, and can often be found within city limits. The Target down the street has a parking lot full of BMWs, Acuras, Volvos, and hybrid cars. WalMarts are usually in rural areas and don’t attempt to position themselves as “quality for less,” and have an older, mostly white clientele. When Target opened a Christmas satellite store in NYC in 2002, people were all about it, even though you couldn’t actually buy anything there. It was on a boat and you could get your picture taken with Santa (I definitely did). They did a similar thing in Chicago last week and everyone here was excited about that, too. Could you imagine if WalMart did something like that? People would be picketing it. Target has Starbucks. WalMart has the Radio Grille.

Target is known for high quality consumer goods by respected brands as well as their own generic brands that are designed well, and look good. Target collaborates with clothing designers to attract a high-end customer base (Rogan, Loomstate, Stella McCartney, etc) or to give an opportunity to buy fancy clothes at a discounted price. They also have collaborated with the IFC (independent film channel) Their in-house design is really bold and colorful with a high-end feel to it. Target is known for being somewhat socially responsible, and is also one of the more philanthropic large companies out there.

But does any of this matter? Target is still a huge corporation. They don’t necessarily pay their employees any better than WalMart, and they have helped put smaller businesses struggle simply by being there and being able to offer a lower price. Target has no labor unions, something that WalMart is constantly chided for. It’s easy to love Target - I am guilty - but maybe a lot of that happens to do with its better advertising, better design, and cleaner appearance.