As a bargain-hunting pro and retail industry expert, I know that coupons are one of the most effective ways to consistently save money on everyday purchases. And when it comes to couponing, Target is a standout store, thanks to their generous coupon policies, wide product selection, and high-tech app.
But while Target makes couponing easy overall, using coupons at self-checkout can still feel a bit daunting your first few times. Don‘t let that dissuade you though! With this ultimate guide, you‘ll be confidently zipping through self-checkout with a stack of coupons in no time.
Why Using Coupons at Target Should be a Top Priority
If you‘re not already a religious Target couponer, let‘s talk about what you‘re missing out on. According to research by CouponFollow, the average American shopper could save $1,465 per year by spending just 20 minutes per week seeking out and clipping coupons. For avid couponers, those savings can be even higher.
"I consistently save over 50% on my Target shopping trips by combining coupons with sale prices and other promotions," says Kristen Jones, the blogger behind Couponing with Kristen. "It takes some planning, but it‘s so worthwhile to have that extra room in my budget."
Using coupons isn‘t just beneficial for your wallet either. Studies have shown that customers who receive coupons have a 57% higher retention rate than those who don‘t. For Target, accepting coupons is a key way to make customers feel valued and encourage repeat business.
"At Target, we‘re deeply committed to delivering value to our guests," said Target spokesperson Jessica Carlson. "We carefully craft our promotions and coupon policies to maximize savings for every type of shopper."
What Types of Coupons Does Target Accept?
Before we dive into the step-by-step self-checkout process, let‘s review what kinds of coupons you can use at Target:
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Digital Coupons: Found in the Target Circle section of the Target app. New offers are added weekly and applied to your purchase with an easy barcode scan.
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Manufacturer Coupons: Issued by the product brand and usually found in newspapers, mailings, and online. Can be scanned at all Target registers.
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Printable Internet Coupons: Printed from sites like Coupons.com and SmartSource. Target accepts most internet coupons with valid barcodes.
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Target Storewide Coupons: Special promotions released by Target for a dollar amount or percentage off any qualifying purchase or category. Can be printed or digital.
Target‘s policy does limit you to combining one manufacturer coupon and one Target Circle offer per item purchased. But you can absolutely use a coupon on every item in your cart if you have them!
Unlocking Exclusive Savings with Target Circle
One newer aspect of Target‘s coupon program is Target Circle – their free loyalty program that replaced the Cartwheel app in 2019. If you‘re not already a member, signing up is quick and easy, either online or in the Target app. Just provide your name, email, and phone number to start reaping benefits like:
- 1% earnings on every Target trip to redeem later
- 5% off a single purchase for your birthday
- Exclusive Target Circle offers tailored to your shopping habits
- Early access to special sales and promotions
- Opportunity to vote where Target makes charitable donations
Target Circle offers tend to be some of the best around, with frequent high-value coupons for 20-50% off a single item in popular categories. Members can save the offers they like in the app, then scan a single barcode at checkout to apply all coupons in one go. So convenient.
As a bonus, Target donates 1% of Circle members‘ purchases to local non-profits of their choosing. Since the program‘s inception, shoppers have directed over $7 million to causes in their own communities. Talk about guilt-free shopping!
Maximizing Savings by Stacking Coupons
Now let‘s talk strategy. To squeeze the most value from your Target coupons, you need to learn the art of coupon stacking. This means using multiple coupons together on a single product to lower the price dramatically.
Here‘s an example of coupon stacking in action:
Tide Pods 81-count = $19.99
Use one $2.00 off Tide Manufacturer Coupon
Use one 20% off Target Circle Laundry Offer
Final Price = $14.39 ($5.60 savings)
Not too shabby, right? By combining that store offer and manufacturer coupon, we got 30% off a premium laundry essential. And thanks to Target‘s coupon policy, this kind of stacking is totally fair game.
Stacking gets even more lucrative when you incorporate Target‘s gift card promotions. A few times a year, Target will run a gift card deal on household essential items—spend $50 on qualifying products, get a $15 gift card to use on a future purchase.
If you use coupons to hit that $50 threshold, you‘re essentially getting free Target money for buying deeply discounted products you needed anyway. It‘s a coupon stacker‘s dream!
The Best Times of Year to Coupon at Target
While you can definitely use coupons at Target year-round, there are definitely times where the savings are more plentiful. Historically, the best Target deals tend to pop up around:
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Back to School Season (July-August): Stack coupons on school supplies, backpacks, and kids‘ clothing. Teachers can also get a special 15% off during Teacher Prep Event.
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Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November): The mother of all deal days. Use coupons and get Target Circle exclusive offers on holiday gifts across all departments.
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After Holiday Clearance (December-January): Score 50-90% off seasonal items and use coupons for anything not already on sale.
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Mother‘s Day & Father‘s Day (May & June): Use coupons to get gifts for mom and dad (small appliances and beauty products are common) and save on your own wishlist too.
Of course, Target releases new coupons every single week, so you never have to wait long to save on necessities. Check the Target app every Sunday morning to see the latest Circle offers and clip accordingly.
Step-By-Step: Using Coupons at Target Self-Checkout
Alright, you‘ve got your coupons ready – now it‘s time to put them to work! If you‘re new to using coupons at the Target self-checkout kiosk, it‘s normal to feel a bit nervous your first time. Just follow these simple steps:
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Get Organized: As you shop, keep an envelope or file with your coupons sorted by category. Make sure your coupons match the items in your cart exactly.
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Start Scanning: At the self-checkout screen, scan all your items as you normally would. Your scanned products and current total will display on the left.
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Apply Digital Coupons: Once you‘ve scanned everything, choose "Finish & Pay." On the payment screen, select "Use Wallet." This will prompt you to scan the barcode in your Target Circle account to apply any clipped digital offers.
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Scan Paper Coupons: Next, select "I have coupons" and choose the "Scan Coupons" button when it pops up. Feed each paper coupon barcode-side up into the scanner. The kiosk will beep and display a confirmation for each successful scan.
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Finish Payment: Once your coupons are scanned and applied, your new discounted subtotal will display on the screen. Choose your payment method, take your receipt, and grab any printed coupons that came out for use on a future trip!
Note: If you hit any snafus during the process (like a coupon not scanning properly), the self-checkout kiosk will flash a light to alert a Target team member to come over and assist you. They‘re trained to troubleshoot any coupon issues and can manually push them through if needed.
Handling Coupon Stigma and Other Common Concerns
Despite the growing popularity of couponing, some shoppers still feel self-conscious about holding up checkout lines or appearing "cheap" for using coupons. This is where self-checkout really shines – you can go at your own pace without worrying about the shoppers behind you.
"I love that self-checkout lets me take my time scanning coupons without any anxiety," says Amy Schumer, an avid Target shopper. "I can double-check my deals without feeling judged or rushed. It‘s a game changer."
If you do encounter any rudeness or side-eye from fellow shoppers about your coupon usage, just remember – you‘re the smart one saving money! Ignore the haters and enjoy your well-earned discounts.
Future of Couponing: Digital vs. Paper Debate
One question I get a lot as a consumer analyst is whether paper coupons are on their way out in favor of digital. While digital coupons are undeniably convenient (no clipping required), many shoppers still prefer the tangible nature of paper coupons.
In a 2020 survey by Valassis, 53% of respondents said they use paper coupons at least half the time while shopping. Meanwhile, 32% said they‘ve increased their use of paper coupons in the past year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, paper coupon redemption actually saw an uptick as more budget-conscious shoppers sought out ways to save.
Ultimately, I foresee a future in which both paper and digital coupons remain viable savings tools for the foreseeable future. Luckily, Target is ahead of the curve in accepting both equally. No matter what your coupon preference, you‘ll always find a way to save at Target.
Key Takeaways for Couponing Success
We‘ve covered a lot of ground in this ultimate guide to using coupons at Target self-checkout. Let‘s review some key points:
- Target accepts manufacturer, store, printable, and digital coupons
- You can combine one Target Circle offer and one manufacturer coupon per item
- Joining Target Circle gets you access to additional high-value coupons and benefits
- Stacking a Target coupon and manufacturer coupon together maximizes savings
- Self-checkout is an easy, low-stress way to redeem coupons on your own terms
- Target tends to offer the most coupons around holidays and seasonal events
- Paper coupons are still popular with shoppers and aren‘t going away anytime soon
So what are you waiting for? Load up your Target Circle wallet, start scanning those coupons, and enjoy the thrill of watching your subtotal plummet. With a bit of savvy and a dash of planning, you‘re well on your way to becoming an expert Target couponer. Happy saving!
