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  4. I compared Walmart and Target, and found the two superstores are offering completely different types of convenience

I compared Walmart and Target, and found the two superstores are offering completely different types of convenience

Mary Meisenzahl   

I compared Walmart and Target, and found the two superstores are offering completely different types of convenience
Walmart vs. Target.Jessica Kirsh & HappyCreator/Shutterstock
  • I visited a Target and a Walmart in Rochester, New York to compare them head-to-head.
  • Walmart is primarily a grocery store focused on stocking a huge range of products at low prices.

Walmart and Target are two of the biggest names in retail, so I paid them both a visit to see how they compare.

Walmart and Target are two of the biggest names in retail, so I paid them both a visit to see how they compare.
A Walmart store.      Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

There are 4,735 Walmart locations in the US, and the company did $393.2 billion in US sales in the last fiscal year, according to earnings reports.

There are 4,735 Walmart locations in the US, and the company did $393.2 billion in US sales in the last fiscal year, according to earnings reports.
https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-amazon-prime-battle-streaming-disney-comcast-paramount-service-report-2022-8      AP

Target has 1,938 US locations, with $106 billion in sales in 2021, it said in earnings.

Target has 1,938 US locations, with $106 billion in sales in 2021, it said in earnings.
Getty/Alex Wong

I visited a Walmart location in Rochester, New York, where I live.

I visited a Walmart location in Rochester, New York, where I live.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

This store still had a fully functioning Subway restaurant inside, although some others have closed nationally.

This store still had a fully functioning Subway restaurant inside, although some others have closed nationally.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: QSR

I passed rows and rows of snacks for sale near the entrance as I got to the main shopping area.

I passed rows and rows of snacks for sale near the entrance as I got to the main shopping area.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was a small hot food bar near the entrance, too, selling rotisserie chickens.

There was a small hot food bar near the entrance, too, selling rotisserie chickens.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were some prepackaged sandwiches and salads available, too.

There were some prepackaged sandwiches and salads available, too.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Past the hot food area, the store opens up into a large section mostly filled with produce.

Past the hot food area, the store opens up into a large section mostly filled with produce.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Most fruits and vegetables are displayed in huge piles with clearly marked prices.

Most fruits and vegetables are displayed in huge piles with clearly marked prices.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's a huge variety of different varieties of apples, plus organic and non-organic options for most items.

There
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Some produce is pre-bagged, or customers can select their own quantities and weigh them.

Some produce is pre-bagged, or customers can select their own quantities and weigh them.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bakery is next to the produce section, with no real physical separation between them.

The bakery is next to the produce section, with no real physical separation between them.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It's a combination of custom cakes, packaged desserts, and other baked goods like bread and bagels.

It
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's also a large freezer with Carvel ice cream cakes.

There
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

This small seafood section separates the bakery from the rest of the store, leading into the larger frozen food section.

This small seafood section separates the bakery from the rest of the store, leading into the larger frozen food section.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The back wall is made up of meats and cheeses on refrigerated shelves, with frozen foods on display in the middle of aisles.

The back wall is made up of meats and cheeses on refrigerated shelves, with frozen foods on display in the middle of aisles.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are literally thousands of frozen foods for sale, from breakfast to entrees to sides and desserts.

There are literally thousands of frozen foods for sale, from breakfast to entrees to sides and desserts.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Despite the massive selection, it's relatively easy to navigate thanks to easy-to-follow organization and aisle markers.

Despite the massive selection, it
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Walmart has a huge collection of private label brands, with versions of most products that are on sale available through Walmart brands.

Walmart has a huge collection of private label brands, with versions of most products that are on sale available through Walmart brands.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The pantry sections of the store are just as extensive.

The pantry sections of the store are just as extensive.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aisles are stocked with canned goods in name and private label brands.

Aisles are stocked with canned goods in name and private label brands.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I noticed huge swaths of space dedicated to budget friendly foods, like dried beans.

I noticed huge swaths of space dedicated to budget friendly foods, like dried beans.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are also aisles dedicated to bulk candy bags ahead of Halloween.

There are also aisles dedicated to bulk candy bags ahead of Halloween.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

This Walmart is especially large because it was formerly a Sam's Club, owned by the same parent company.

This Walmart is especially large because it was formerly a Sam
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Every section of the store seems to encompass every variation you could want of that product, from meat to cheese.

Every section of the store seems to encompass every variation you could want of that product, from meat to cheese.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Cheese takes up nearly an entire wall alone.

Cheese takes up nearly an entire wall alone.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Grocery stores in New York can sell beer, wine, and cider, and Walmart had an extensive selection with White Claws getting their own display.

Grocery stores in New York can sell beer, wine, and cider, and Walmart had an extensive selection with White Claws getting their own display.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Groceries definitely feel like the main focus of Walmart, and as I moved into other areas there were fewer people around.

Groceries definitely feel like the main focus of Walmart, and as I moved into other areas there were fewer people around.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are clothing sections for men, women, children, and babies, but they seemed kind of haphazardly thrown together.

There are clothing sections for men, women, children, and babies, but they seemed kind of haphazardly thrown together.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The clothing department seemed sort of like a holding area for things that there wasn't room for elsewhere because the area wasn't very busy.

The clothing department seemed sort of like a holding area for things that there wasn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The watches for sale were locked up behind glass.

The watches for sale were locked up behind glass.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The jewelry displays were messy and disorganized.

The jewelry displays were messy and disorganized.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The rest of the store encompasses any other household needs you could ever want a product for.

The rest of the store encompasses any other household needs you could ever want a product for.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are organizational tools...

There are organizational tools...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...crafting supplies...

...crafting supplies...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...and toys, among other things.

...and toys, among other things.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aisles are so wide that they can easily fit massive clearance displays in the middle.

Aisles are so wide that they can easily fit massive clearance displays in the middle.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The far side of the store is dedicated to outdoor items, like bicycles and fishing poles.

The far side of the store is dedicated to outdoor items, like bicycles and fishing poles.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's a mini hardware store section, with tools and an information desk for attendants to help customers.

There
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The outdoor area leads to the garden center, which was already fully ready for Christmas in late September.

The outdoor area leads to the garden center, which was already fully ready for Christmas in late September.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

In the spring this area is usually full of plants, seeds, and gardening supplies.

In the spring this area is usually full of plants, seeds, and gardening supplies.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Beauty and personal care items are both available, but they have relatively small sections compared to other parts of the store.

Beauty and personal care items are both available, but they have relatively small sections compared to other parts of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Walmart has a functioning pharmacy inside, where customers can also get flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Walmart has a functioning pharmacy inside, where customers can also get flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A massive space near the checkout was filled with pumpkins and candy ahead of Halloween.

A massive space near the checkout was filled with pumpkins and candy ahead of Halloween.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was a moderate selection of Halloween costumes, too, mostly in children's sizes.

There was a moderate selection of Halloween costumes, too, mostly in children
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Checkout spans the whole length of the store, with over 20 aisles and self-checkout registers on either side.

Checkout spans the whole length of the store, with over 20 aisles and self-checkout registers on either side.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

To leave I walked past the optical center, which wasn't open because it was evening.

To leave I walked past the optical center, which wasn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Walmart seems to know that groceries are its strength because those areas are the most well-stocked and populated by customers.

Walmart seems to know that groceries are its strength because those areas are the most well-stocked and populated by customers.
The logo of Walmart is seen outside of a new Walmart Store in San Salvador      Thomson Reuters

Next up I went to a Target located right down the street.

Next up I went to a Target located right down the street.
A Target logo is seen at Target Canada in Toronto      Thomson Reuters

Target has very clear branding, and the first thing I saw when I walked in was the rack of signature plastic red carts.

Target has very clear branding, and the first thing I saw when I walked in was the rack of signature plastic red carts.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The dog mascot was also sitting near the entrance.

The dog mascot was also sitting near the entrance.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was a Starbucks inside near the entrance, which is common in many Target stores.

There was a Starbucks inside near the entrance, which is common in many Target stores.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The first actual merchandise I saw were the small shelves of $1 and $3 items.

The first actual merchandise I saw were the small shelves of $1 and $3 items.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

These switch out seasonally, and are always a confusing pile of random things every time I go.

These switch out seasonally, and are always a confusing pile of random things every time I go.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The first large section you see when entering the store is women's clothing.

The first large section you see when entering the store is women
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

When I visited there was a mix of seasons on display, with summer bikinis on sale next to coats.

When I visited there was a mix of seasons on display, with summer bikinis on sale next to coats.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The clothing displays seem to be set up with more care than at Walmart, being mostly organized with thoughtful styling, images, and mannequins.

The clothing displays seem to be set up with more care than at Walmart, being mostly organized with thoughtful styling, images, and mannequins.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The shoe section was quite extensive, though slightly disorganized.

The shoe section was quite extensive, though slightly disorganized.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Even the pajamas and underwear section seemed thoughtfully organized, but at Walmart that's one of the messiest areas in my experience.

Even the pajamas and underwear section seemed thoughtfully organized, but at Walmart that
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Clothing leads into bedding and other home decor.

Clothing leads into bedding and other home decor.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aisles of rugs, chairs, lamps, and other decor are set up in an appealing way.

Aisles of rugs, chairs, lamps, and other decor are set up in an appealing way.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Home goods seem to be an important area for Target, based on the organization and prominent place they have.

Home goods seem to be an important area for Target, based on the organization and prominent place they have.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Target also has a partnership with reality stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, which gets its own display.

Target also has a partnership with reality stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, which gets its own display.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The grocery section is tucked in the back of the store.

The grocery section is tucked in the back of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It definitely has all the necessities like pasta, snacks, and cookies, but there's nowhere near the range of each item available at Walmart.

It definitely has all the necessities like pasta, snacks, and cookies, but there
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Target's food selection centers on healthy and organic foods more than at Walmart, like with this section of "better for you snacks."

Target
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Alcohol gets just a corner at Target, compared to a massive aisle at Walmart.

Alcohol gets just a corner at Target, compared to a massive aisle at Walmart.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The frozen foods section is quite small and doesn't hold a candle to Walmart's.

The frozen foods section is quite small and doesn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Another relatively small section combines produce, baked goods, meat, and dairy siloed off from the rest of the store.

Another relatively small section combines produce, baked goods, meat, and dairy siloed off from the rest of the store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It would work in a pinch, but I wouldn't want to do my regular grocery shopping here.

It would work in a pinch, but I wouldn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The meat section was the saddest of all, with only a few types of chicken, beef, and plant-based meat.

The meat section was the saddest of all, with only a few types of chicken, beef, and plant-based meat.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Leaving the grocery section, beauty is definitely a bigger focus with several aisles and a huge selection.

Leaving the grocery section, beauty is definitely a bigger focus with several aisles and a huge selection.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

After visiting both stores, back to back, I think they're going after completely different things.

After visiting both stores, back to back, I think they
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Target is a home goods and clothing store where you can pick up a few basic groceries.

Target is a home goods and clothing store where you can pick up a few basic groceries.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Walmart, though, is a grocery store where you might also be able to grab a t-shirt of pair of shorts.

Walmart, though, is a grocery store where you might also be able to grab a t-shirt of pair of shorts.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Even though they overlap on many of the items they sell, Walmart and Target specialize in different items, and it's clear in the layout of stores and how they're stocked and organized.

Even though they overlap on many of the items they sell, Walmart and Target specialize in different items, and it
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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