Target opens doors: U.S. retailer a hit for some early-bird shoppers, a disappointment for others

Dozens of eager shoppers lined up Tuesday morning, some as early as 5:30 a.m., to get into the new Target at Coquitlam Centre.

While some consumers were pleased with the cherry-picked deals they found , others were disappointed by the lack of bargain-barrel prices they expected.

Sitting on one of the large red Target balls outside the American mega-chain, Pitt Meadows resident Sher Boudreau tweeted about her Target experience.

“I’m tweeting that I was here and it was a success,” she said, with a nod to a cart stuffed full of shopping bags.

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Boudreau, who was second in line to get in the store when it opened at 8 a.m., said prices were not as low as in the States, but there were deals to be found, particularly on kids’ clothes. A three-pack of Canucks onesies for her four-year-old nephew cost around $20, she said, adding that she saw a Canucks jersey for $30.

“I don’t care where you are from, that’s a good deal for Canucks clothes. ”

Having shopped south of the border, Boudreau is hoping Target will start some “flyer wars” like it does in the U.S. with other retailers such as Wal-Mart, and bring prices even lower.

“I love it here though and I can tell you one thing – I won’t be going back to Wal-Mart ….

“You have to know where to look for the deals,” she added, noting that she found razor blades for $5 cheaper than at Wal-Mart.

Not all the shoppers Tuesday were as enthusiastic.

Local bargain hunter Gene Peteski, out shopping with his wife, said there were a few deals but that he thought “it was nothing special.”

The Coquitlam resident, who drives out to Mission for cheaper gas, said he’ll be watching closely for Target to announce lower prices on food, but for now he thinks it’s more economical to shop at Superstore.