Target stores good for consumers, Regina prof says

A marketing professor at the University of Regina says the opening of three Target stores, two in Saskatoon and one in Regina,should be good for consumers.

Lisa Watson says the retail stores may seem imposing to smaller shops, but believes specialty stores will be OK.

"There's still certainly a space for our small boutiques," Watson said. "They'll still do very very well."

Watson also said the arrival of Target, which is a major American-based chain, will provide an impetus for other, similar, stores to improve their offerings.

"It will make some of the bigger competitors think a little bit about their variety and their service levels which is always very good for us [consumers]," she said.

Watson notes that Saskatchewan shoppers are price-conscious in general, so they won't shop at Target for everything.