Target runs are great—but they can wind up being pretty pricey. Just think about all of the times you've gone in for detergent and come out with new candles, coffee mugs and a fall-themed welcome mat. Those purchases are fun, but since you didn't necessarily plan on making them, they're not always the best for your wallet. And thankfully—Target understands just how enticing their stores can be.
That's precisely why they're testing out a new drive-up service to help you keep your impulse buys at a minimum. Thanks to a newly launched Target app called Drive Up, residents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region can order their items on their iPhone, drive up to their local Target (there's a designated space for Drive Up customers) and have their groceries and more loaded into their trunks.
This method of shopping from Target is super convenient and could save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Just imagine being able to fit in a trip to the grocery store in between dropping the kids off at their various after-school activities without ever leaving the car. This kind of assistance could definitely make your life easier.
As of right now, customers who can use this service are extremely limited. You must be in the Twin Cities area and have an iPhone to give the drive-up option a test run. But, according to a FAQ page on the Target website, you can keep checking back for updates on when the service will be available in other cities as well as for Android users. So, the good news is that if this goes well, the retailer's looking to expand this all-new way of shopping at Target to markets around the country.
Traditional retailers have been forced to step their game up in a major way due to the immense competition coming from Amazon and other online retailers. In fact, Wal-Mart recently announced a way to make returning items even easier, and they're currently testing out a service that delivers groceries to your house, even when you're not at home.
So, what does this mean for the future of grocery shopping? Well, if these retailers have anything to do with it, you'll be able to purchase the essentials without ever stepping foot inside a store.
Although, the occasional visit to a brick-and-mortar Target may still be necessary from time to time. Because hey—how else would you discover that great hand lotion or those chic throw pillows you didn't know you needed?
This story originally appeared on Don't Waste Your Money. Checkout Don't Waste Your Money for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
