Target

I’ve heard a lot of people complain about Target Canada not being the same as Target US, that their prices are higher, the experience is different, that the prices are higher, and that the prices are higher. People also seem rather perturbed that the the prices are higher.
Rather than focus on how this isn’t the USA, why not focus on the very positive aspects of the stores?
* They don’t accost you with music designed to make you buy. It’s peaceful, welcoming, almost relaxing as a result. You can focus on the task at hand rather than Lady Gaga. Whenever I find myself in a mall or department store, the music helps to drive me away as fast as possible. Not so, Target. How refreshing!
* The staff seemed genuinely happy to be there and enjoying their job. They seemed to like each other, and the culture of respect shown to one another seemed honest rather than forced. This translated to their treatment of us: they wanted to help, they wanted us to be happy, but they certainly weren’t pushy about it. Again, refreshing!
(This is where I mention Attila, the manager-​type-​fellow, Sarah, and Amanda, all of whom deserve recognition for going above and beyond for us.) I confess I don’t know much about the politics behind Target — notoriously anti-​union, I know that — but in the small sampling I saw at the Ancaster store, it seemed like staff were happy and well treated.
* The option of Starbucks at Target trumps McDonald’s at Wal-​Mart every day of the week. I’m not a Starbucks fan by any stretch, but the fact Wal-​Mart wants to Supersize Me while Target wants to caffeinate me makes it a clear win for Target.
So hey, Target Canada, thanks for presenting a friendly, positive shopping experience that contrasts pretty starkly with the regular cram-​em-​in, soul-​sucking world of your chief competitors. It’s refreshing. Like your lack of Gaga.
(* Note: we didn’t think the prices were high at all.)