Target to Put QR Codes on Toys This Holiday Season to Battle Amazon

[MrsJrotax101]

Target is gearing up for the holiday season with a mobile-based program designed to foil the practice of “showrooming.” Starting Oct. 14, customers who visit the stores will see a showcase of the top 20 toys of the season each of which will sport a QR code that lets consumers buy them online and have them shipped.

Though the retailer spun the program as an “added convenience” for shoppers, Target has been aggressively battling showrooming since last holiday season. In such cases, consumers go to the brick-and-mortar stores to see what’s new and then buy the items online, often from Amazon. Target has been attempting to turn the tideon showrooming with exclusive products and mobile coupons.

Though it seems counter-intuitive to go to a store only to buy a product online, Target’s QR code program could be useful if an item is out of stock or if the lines are too long.

Target, which stopped carrying Amazon’s Kindle products in stores in May because it didn’t want to aid a competitor, isn’t the only retailer attempting to level the playing field: Toys “R” Us has also announced it will offer Tabeo, a $150 tablet device for kids, this holiday season as a hedge against Kindle.
Article from: http://mashable.com/2012/10/03/target-qr-codes-amazon/

 

[webby]

walmart recently announced they're no longer going to offer the amazon kindle in stores as well. They said they're hoping to stop sales going to amazon

 

[KennyGS]

I don't see how b&m stores can stop it altogether... only make it less convenient. A savy shopper will enevitably buy wherever an item is cheapest, which is usually online - especially if no taxes are paid.

By the way, is it just me...? Most times I will see an ad for something I want at Target, and go that day to the store to find they don't have it. Of course, (now) I will call first to find this out, which will then make me decide to shop elsewhere because there's no reason for me to go there, and combine the other shopping I needed to do.

Aside from very large ticket items, I will buy them online. Also, I will always patronize local, 'family' businesses for the large ticket items. They usually care about their customers, provide very good guidance, will stand behind their products, provide direct service when something is wrong, and are usually competitive on prices.