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Posted on Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 5:58 a.m.

Fresh produce department coming to Carpenter Road Target

By Angela Smith

Move over low-priced fashion, the Target store on Carpenter Road is being remodeled to accommodate a fresh produce area.

target remod.JPG

The Carpenter Road Target is undergoing renovations this season.

“By remodeling these stores, we bring an expanded offering of fresh food and added convenience to our guests in these communities,” said Annette Miller, senior vice president of grocery, Target.

Target has 1,782 stores nationwide, and the 3749 Carpenter location in Pittsfield Township, will be one of 1,100-plus to gain a produce area since the nation-wide remodeling efforts began in 2008. Target’s Canton location also will be undergoing a similar renovation to include what Target is branding as its Pfresh department.

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The Carpenter Target will be expanding its food selection and updating other areas of the store including beauty, home and shoe departments.

Food products available will include fresh produce (e.g. bananas, seasonal fruit, berries, baby carrots and bagged lettuce), a limited assortment of fresh packaged meat (e.g. ground beef, chicken and pork) and pre-packaged baked goods (e.g. dinner rolls and pies), in addition to frozen, dairy and dry packaged products, said store employee Gretchen Miller.

And Target’s new ad campaign is ready to highlight the Pfresh component. According to Associated Press:

In one ad, a model in a white dress and high heels struts by blueberry muffin and cake mix boxes that explode in different colors. Then she crushes an egg with her hand. "Dominate that PTA bake sale," a voiceover whispers. "The Everyday Collection. By Target."
The Carpenter Target’s renovation is planned to be completed by late March.

Angela Smith is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.

Comments

x94cherry

Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 6:30 p.m.

Visited the new grocery section yesterday and I have to say, I'm not a fan. It's very expensive and most of the food is prepared and pre-seasoned type stuff that I never buy. Like pre-sliced cheese and pre-marinated chicken breasts. The selection is not good and of course now they carry less general merchandise stuff because of the space they have to dedicate to groceries. Kmart already tried this idea about 5 years ago, and I don't think it worked out very well for them. Of course, my main grocery store is Aldi, so I suppose that puts me on the lunatic fringe of grocery buyers. Maybe the typical Target customer will love it.

vintagetimes4me

Sat, Feb 9, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.

I'm handicap & cant walk distance. After parking WAY OUT THERE at M., then going 1/2 way to the muddle of the store to get the scooter that allows me to shop, its HARD to shop at M. for me. Target has the scotters right up front where they are needed. Makes sense where I will need to go. Fir those that say ASK THE GREETERS TO GO GET THE scooter.... I feel bad enough useing them, I just cant ask someone that is way OLDER to walk & get it for me. I cant make myself do it to those poor people. Sad that they must work as it is.

Ann English

Sun, Jan 27, 2013 : 12:35 a.m.

Angela, I seem to recall seeing cold food being sold at the Carpenter Target. I know it's definitely sold at the Waters Road Target. This produce probably won't be advertised, for such an ad would have to be printed separately from the Target ads for locations that don't sell produce. I know this Target location had a pharmacy right from the beginning, but the Waters Road location didn't. But selling produce does rouse curiosity. If it costs less than in other places, even though it's organic, it's a sell. Tanimura & Antle lettuce has been sold in more and more stores around here, since Aldi arrived in the area, selling it first.

Paul

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 8:22 p.m.

Maybe now Meijer will hire more cashiers and have shorter lines. Seems like they rather hie door "greeters" who just watch for folks leaving without paying

Steve Hendel

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 9:13 p.m.

Be nice-those greeters are usually senior citizens just earning something to supplement their social security; besides, if it's in a Meijer bag (which any intelligent shoplifter would use), how can they tell it wasn't paid for?

Paul

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 8:16 p.m.

Meijer's has good food but checkout is a joke, many times few lanes are open and the walls between them prevent you from seeing which has the shorter line. As for U scans, no thanks, I'm not playing cashier and bagger--I bag while they scan. Meijer stores are too big also, my legs get a workout going to Meijer and then they expect you to stand in line for 10 mins to pay for the items. Yeah it be nice if more folks had unions to stand behind them, its not my fault--I only brought union made cars, so much good that did

Ann English

Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 2:03 a.m.

I got used to the U scans when they first came out at Meijer, and I overheard another shopper complain about 21st century technology. I like the presence of price-scanners at both Meijer and Target, so you can know if something's on sale or just know the price of an item if its price sticker is missing both from itself and the shelf.

Urban Sombrero

Sun, Jan 27, 2013 : 3:32 a.m.

I prefer the U-Scans but I get incredibly frustrated because they are often wonky (like you'll scan something and it won't register, or it'll tell you that there's an unnecessary item on the belt, even though it's the thing you just scanned, etc.). And, I also find that a lot of people just plain don't know how to use them and are confused by them, which makes the lines longer and slower.

Paul

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 8:09 p.m.

Long overdue, Target has great prices on food items but no fresh vegies. Seems like lots of Targets will be getting fresh fruit, hopefully people will buy and the items will stay fresh

Great Lakes Lady

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.

Every once in an awhile an article comes out asking consumers to shop downtown AA; to "shop local". (Even though undoubtedly many downtown business owners and employees do not shop local with regard to their vehicle purchases....which would help this state.) Meijer's is a Michigan company; their success contributes to Michigan's success; they pay taxes to support infrastructure in this state.

johnnya2

Mon, Jan 28, 2013 : 5:26 a.m.

Calling Meijer local is like calling Ford or GM or Kelloggs local. Do you buy all Kellogg cereal? Do you have all Whirlpool appliances? Is all the pop you drink Faygo? Target pays taxes to the state of Michigan, employs MICHIGAN workers as well. Just because their HQ is based somewhere does NOT make them a local company.

Steve Hendel

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 8:25 p.m.

...taxes to that city ( and the State); locally-owned or not, they pay wages locally; etc etc etc. Really, what is the economic difference (especially in a field with narrow profit margins) to the State or city as to WHO owns Meijer or Target?

Steve Hendel

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 8:20 p.m.

I agree, but...all businesses located in a city, locally-owned or not, pay

Crusader 53

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.

Target has not had any super store in Michigan so as to avoid union activity by the unions representing that segment of the retail market in Michigan. That "threat" of unionization has been nullified by the GOP in Lansing through the Right to Work Law. Having worked at a Target for ten years I can testify first hand that the Target Co. is vehemently anti-union to the point of out right lies and half truths to discredit any union organizing of it's employees. Meijers IS local and the workers have a semblance of union representation. Target is nothing more then another Wal-Mart but with shinier floors.

Ann English

Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 2:07 a.m.

I shop at Target for its Up & Up brand products in the health & beauty section, primarily. I shop at Walmart for its Equate brand products in the health & beauty section, mostly. Some of Target's products in that area come within 2 cents of Walmart's competitors' prices.

TheDiagSquirrel

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.

Meijer is a Michigan company, with items of comparable quality to any store, but with lower prices and no need for one of those cards that you have to swipe to get an item on sale. They will keep my business

TaxPayer

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.

Shop Michigan. Shop Union. Target is neither.

vintagetimes4me

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 11:56 a.m.

I'm excited about the new add on. How many times have I been in that very store knowing after I'm done shopping that I had to go next door to Meijers to pick up a few things? Countless times! I no longer will be forced to go into the always overly crowded -- long lined store next door, Target is turning into the ONE STOP SHOPPING STORE! With shorter lines-- count me in.

Lizzy Alfs

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.

I'm sure many customers will share this sentiment. It makes it easier for people who go to Target anyway.

zanzerbar

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 11:11 a.m.

Lets see...you got Kroger across the street and Meijer nest door where people go to actually buy groceries.How long can they remain fresh?

Paul

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 8:19 p.m.

Depends on the store, at my near by Kroger, fresh fruit sits around for days and it doesn't get thrown away. Shoppers are funny, some stores lots of fruit and veggies sell, other stores people just walk right on past and buy I don' know what--beer and tobacco ?

zanzerbar

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 3:20 p.m.

Right, Food-Gathers will be their to pick up their expired food

johnnya2

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.

Ridiculous comment. Many people shop at Target AND either Meijer or Kroger. If people are already at Target that is one less store to go to. If you think it doesm't work, SUPER TARGETS are all over the country (none in Michigan) and have a full line grocery that is on par with Kroger or Meijer. I will also point out that if you ever go into Meijer or Kroger, they BOTH have price reductions on items that are getting close to expiring. Target has the advantage of needing to only stock fast moving produce and meat items.