Target offers an app to help you find a gift. Unfortunately, it is probably the most useless app I’ve ever used.
The app presents a simple question when opened: Who are you shopping for? Your choice is simple: Her or Him. From there, you narrow your search by age, price range and personality.
Seems useful, right?
Here’s the big snafu: the app has a 90 percent failure rate. Only once, using various search terms, did the app provide any results. The rest of the time I received an “unexpected error.”
There is useful information if you find something to buy. You can buy it from Target.com, add the item to your favorites, read product reviews or find a nearby Target store. The Find A Store tab allows you to input your zip code or use GPS. Choosing a store provides the address, phone number and hours of operation.
Sadly, the favorites tab is not as useful as Target’s holiday version of this shopping app, either. That app allowed you to assign a gift to a contact in your phone.
Despite the useful store details, I’m highly disappointed in Target’s app. There is no need to download unless you are desperate for a gift idea. Even then, your chances of getting a return are slim.
Target would do better to make an app that actually has the ability to shop instead of launching the retailer’s mobile site and displaying in-store weekly promotions.
Bottom line: Scrap this app.
