Retailer bolsters contactless payment, pickup options

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. is rolling out new safety measures for the holiday shopping season, the company said on Thursday.

“Year over year, the investments we’ve made in our business and team have made Target the easiest place to shop in America.” Target CEO Brian Cornell said in a statement. ” As we’ve navigated the pandemic, that focus has evolved to ensure we’re also creating the safest place for our guests to shop,” said Target CEO Brian Cornell. “As we approach the holidays, guests can feel confident in choosing Target – a safe experience, incredible value, and a differentiated assortment that will help them celebrate the joy of the season.”

The new safety measures, which build on steps the retailer has taken beginning in March, include:

• Contactless In-Store Payment: Guests can now use Wallet, the mobile payment option in the Target app, for a contactless self-checkout experience, completely eliminating the need to pick up the scanning device. That means, regardless of where guests choose to checkout in stores – through self-checkout or with one of our team members – the payment experience is contactless. Wallet conveniently brings Redcard payment, Target Circle offers, weekly ad coupons and gift cards all in one place for a single scan at checkout.
• Pre-Trip Shopping Reservations: To ensure guests have enough space to shop safely and comfortably, Target continues to monitor and, when needed, limit the total number of people inside stores at one time. This holiday, guests can visit Target.com/line to see if there is a line outside their local store, and if so, can reserve a spot in line. Target will then text the guest to notify them that it is their turn to enter the store.
• MyCheckout: The retailer is rolling out 1,000 more MyCheckout devices at its stores across the country, allowing team members to help guests check out anywhere in the store and avoid waiting in line.

Target is also investing in its same-day services to ensure they are faster and safer than ever, the company said. Those efforts include:

• Doubling the number of Drive Up spots: Drive Up, Target’s highest-rated service, allows guests to shop for thousands of items via the Target app and have them brought directly to their cars within minutes of arriving at the store. New this holiday season, Target is doubling the total number of Drive Up spots by adding nearly 8,000 more, making it easier for guests to access this popular service.
• Enhancing the Drive Up Experience: Target has eliminated entirely the need for barcode scanning at Drive Up, making it even easier for guests and team members to socially distance. Now, guests simply show their app to team members through their car window, with a personal identification number visible to confirm the order.
• Updating App for More Flexibility: Guests can now adjust – in real time – if they want to pick up their items using Order Pickup or Drive Up, even after they have arrived at the store. The flexibility to switch between services at any time offers even greater convenience during the busy holiday months.
• Expanding Same-Day Assortment: For the first time during a holiday shopping season, consumers can use Target’s same-day services to purchase all their holiday needs, including thousands of gifts and all of the ingredients for holiday meals thanks to the nationwide expansion of fresh and frozen grocery via Order Pickup and Drive Up. And with kids’ and adult apparel now available via same-day delivery with Shipt, guests can get everything from cozy pajamas to festive looks for the family delivered straight to their door in as little as one hour.