Today’s Chicago Tribune has an article about Target’s new test-marketing beauty concierges in Chicagoland Target locations:
The program, launched this week, will arm “concierges” with iPads, mirrors and product samples to provide expertise and guidance to shoppers browsing the retailer’s revamped beauty sections.
The concierges, who will be clad in all black, instead of Target’s standard red, will wear aprons and nametags identifying them. They will be on hand roughly 40 hours per week at times posted in the store to provide “detailed, unbiased information” and “act as a friendly face in what can often be an intimidating department,” the company said in an emailed statement….
The beauty program “adds comprehensive service and education that many of our guests want and expect while shopping beauty,” the company said in an emailed statement.
Now, I’m a skincare junkie, as I’ve confessed to numerous times on this blog. I love trying out new beauty products and have daily morning and evening rituals involving a plethora of my favorite lotions and potions. But do I want someone at Target walking around the beauty department commenting on the products I’m examining or offering unsolicited advice while I’m shopping? Not especially.
Maybe this is just striking me the wrong way, but I like to shop for beauty products in peace :) I like to read labels, compare ingredients… and not be bothered while doing so. What do you guys think?
hwendt12 says
I’m with you-I’d like to shop in peace, compare what I want and be on my way. Besides, what is going to be the ‘basis’ for their ‘expertise’? I don’t see it working.
eztupp says
about 10 years ago or so Tupperware had an agreement with Target to stock a very limited variety of our products. As a part of the agreement we Tupperware consultants were allowed to approach customers when they were in the isle and ask if they wanted info/brochure/recommendations etc. It was to give the company more exposure and at the same time allow consultants to network with more people. We weren’t there all the time but at busy times like a Saturday afternoon for instance.Just like these concierges.It didnt last very long. It was a failure on so many fronts. People heard they could buy it at Target so they figured why go to party, not realizing it was a very limited line. Or why bother having a party? For consultants that didnt live near a Target, they felt the company was giving an advantage to some and not to others.Some consultants felt the company was taking income away from us. And more times than not when I took a shift at a Target I found that most people wanted to be left alone while they shopped. Maybe if they are Target employees rather than reps from the cosmetic companies it will not be annoying. But if someone is there to “sell” a product you might find them a little more agressive. I guess the good thing is they will give out samples. Who knows, they might even have coupons to share.
theresa1740 says
I like someone near to ask but not roaming by me. So do not like that the staff will be just for beauty. Kohl’s used to have people in the cosmetics area exclusively. Thought they were gone due to the economy but maybe more sells without them there???
Patch says
When I pop in my local Walgreens, I am glad to see a middle aged lady in the cosmetic dept, someone to ask a question .A good beauty consultant has a sort of 6th sense, and knows when to ask and knows when to leave a person alone.. I would like to apply as a beauty Concierge..I would hope they are knowledgeable about cosmetics..it seems there is a new BB creme or mascara out every 10 minutes.. Jill, I am curious if you have any BB cremes you have tried and liked a lot..If you are knowlegeable about skin care, both department and drug store, you should blog about that also.
christina23 says
I really doubt they are going to hire licensed cosmotologists, aestheticians, or makeup artists to staff these departments.