Business & Tech

Target Begins Price-Matching Online Retailers—Are You More Likely to Shop There?

The new policy includes Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Bestbuy.com, Toysrus.com and printed ads from local competitors.

Target announced Tuesday it will begin price-matching a group of popular online retailers year-round. The new policy goes into effect immediately.

The Minneapolis-based retailer had introduced temporary price-matching with online retailers during the holiday season. The new year-round policy includes Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Bestbuy.com, Toysrus.com and printed ads from local competitors.

Several media commentators see the move as an effort by Target to end "showrooming"—going to a physical store to pick out a product, then ordering it online at the cheapest rate.

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The announcement comes a few days after Target reported relatively flat sales figures for December.

Target says customers can request a price match prior to buying an item or up to seven days after a purchase is made. Proof of the competitor's price and a copy of the original Target receipt (if making a request after purchase) are required.

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Do you compare prices online before making retail purchases? Will the new policy make you more likely to shop at Target? Tell us in comments.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to note that the announcement was made Tuesday.


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