Article About Target Profiling Tactics

[amused]

Not sure where to post this so my apologies if its in the wrong area.

I just finished reading an article in the NY Times about store and manufacturers tactics based on loyalty cards, profiling, etc. Really interesting what they were saying about Target. Also fascinating bit about Febreeze being a flop until they changed their marketing based on human behavior analysis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/ma...general&src=me

[Patty Smyth]

Interesting and kind of creepy all the info. they get. lol

[Natalka]

Oh, and of course it's not just Target. It's done by any of the companies for which you have a store loyalty card like SDM or Safeway. However, Target seems to have gone pretty far in its research and implementation.

The article's explanation of habits is very interesting... our good ole reptilian brains with Pavlovian responses.

Oy, the story about the dad not knowing his daughter was pregnant, lol!

[Airica]

Brilliant article, thank you for posting. Scary what they can do with your shopping habits.

[lekate]

Very interesting read. I knew about the habit forming and rewards, the next time you see commercials for treats (cookies, chips, chocolate bars) and fast food or restaurants the main theme for advertising is "you deserve a reward" "life's hard, here's a reward". I find it good to know, at least for me I'm able to step back and reconsider treats and eating out. The restaurants I frequent now? Mostly at restaurants that make real food, not ones that are selling an experience with sub par garbage....

The Febreze thing was interesting, I still think it's an awful product though.

[lekate]

Oh, and of course it's not just Target. It's done by any of the companies for which you have a store loyalty card like SDM or Safeway. However, Target seems to have gone pretty far in its research and implementation.

Metro had been doing it with their airmiles coupons, but the last bunch I got were all 'garbage' to me, either the newer ones they're doing are based on promotions by the companies products or just a streamlined version (which doesn't make sense, by personalizing them they were rewarding me for my shopping, now I don't care if I get those airmile coupons in the mail...)

[Sunshyne1]

that article was great.
Definately an eye-opener
(I love Febreeze!! lol)
and after thinking about when i use it, i realize i follow the habit they laid out.
I spray it after tidying or making the bed etc.
I feel like a rat in a maze! :o(

[mrs.march6]

Very interesting..I think I might have to buy his book

[Shwa Girl]

Very interesting..I think I might have to buy his book

It may also be in the library.

I think all the big stores put a portion of their money into researching their customer base.
It's not just target.

Walmart would be very interesting case study. Would also like to see a writer talk about how Walmart employees are treated and how Walmart doesn't provide health benefits for some employees -- usually those most in need.

Would love to read about Walmart.

[lekate]

It may also be in the library.

I think all the big stores put a portion of their money into researching their customer base.
It's not just target.

Walmart would be very interesting case study. Would also like to see a writer talk about how Walmart employees are treated and how Walmart doesn't provide health benefits for some employees -- usually those most in need.

Would love to read about Walmart.

The first half discusses WM employees in the US, a bit different in Canada, in that we have (somewhat) progressive min. wages. But still an eye opener.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/wal-m...-of-low-price/

[pac182]

Interesting read. It's amazing what habits you form.

[abbasgirl]

That was absolutely fascinating! I knew they kept general records, but I didn't know they went that far. One person in the comments section asked what would have happened if Hitler had access to the information that they have today.
The information about how habits are formed was really interesting and helpful.
I actually like it when I get offers that are targeted to me. It seems to only happen very rarely though. Airmiles and Metro have not figured me out at all. I still get lame airmiles offers for water filtration systems. Metro finally sent me my first batch of coupons when I ordered gift certificates with airmiles. All of the coupons were for things that I don't use. I did make a point of using one of them though in hopes that it will encourage them to send me more. Google ads attempts to target me, but they are really annoying about it. I visited a site for dehydrated survivalist food once, out of curiosity, and for months all I saw on every page I visited was cans of gross looking dried, powdered foods. I looked up some reviews for a vacuum cleaner a couple of weeks ago. Now all I see are vacuum cleaners moving around on the screen. The problem with that is that once I've looked up the information I'm interested in, I'm done, and I really don't want to see it again every day until I look up something else. I should look up something a bit more inspiring than vacuum cleaners and see if I can get Google to change the ads again.

[Darth Penguin]

I used to mess around with my customer loyalty cards in the UK.

One got cat food and diapers, the second got baby products and produce and the third got meat and frozen foods. Based on the qualty/price rather than any real attempt at fooliong the system.

Did give you an intereasting mix of coupons depending on how the programmes were set up.

[Darth Penguin]

Google ads attempts to target me, but they are really annoying about it. I visited a site for dehydrated survivalist food once, out of curiosity, and for months all I saw on every page I visited was cans of gross looking dried, powdered foods. I looked up some reviews for a vacuum cleaner a couple of weeks ago. Now all I see are vacuum cleaners moving around on the screen. The problem with that is that once I've looked up the information I'm interested in, I'm done, and I really don't want to see it again every day until I look up something else. I should look up something a bit more inspiring than vacuum cleaners and see if I can get Google to change the ads again.

For some reason Google seems to think I'm intereasted in single women in my area. Half the ads I get are for dating services....And I'm the only person to use the laptop. I have password protection on it which Mr Penguin doesn't know the word. And the kids don't touch it unless I'm around again to the the password....

[DeeThomas]

This was a great read - thanks very much.

I hate to think that stores are tracking my habits - although I'm relieved to hear it hasn't really gone as far as micro-chipping/tracking clothes purchased...