I Asked ChatGPT Which Brand-Name Items Are Always Cheaper at Target — Here’s What It Said

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By now, most savvy shoppers have learned that choosing generic brands is usually the easiest way to save money. However, big-box retailers sometimes keep prices on select name-brand products low enough to compete with even the cheapest alternatives.

To find out which brand-name items tend to cost less at Target than other stores, I turned to ChatGPT to help me sift through trends, price comparisons and consumer data. Here’s what it said.

Paper Products

Paper goods are consistently one of the strongest value plays at Target, especially when you add in RedCard or Target Circle Rewards discounts. According to ChatGPT, national brands like Angel Soft, Bounty and Charmin often come in cheaper than at competing retailers. That means paper towels and toilet paper will be softer on your body and your wallet. Because these items frequently go on promotion, regular Target shoppers can stack discounts for even better deals.

Laundry, Cleaning and Home-Care Items

If you go through a lot of laundry detergent or fabric softener, Target can be an unexpectedly budget-friendly place to stock up. ChatGPT noted that Target often beats even Walmart, typically considered the everyday low-price leader, on popular laundry essentials like Bounce dryer sheets, Tide and Gain detergents and Shout stain remover. Part of this advantage comes from Target’s frequent price-cut events, household-care promotions and extra RedCard savings. For families running multiple loads a week, the difference adds up.

Pet Food and Pet Care

If you’re used to paying premium prices to keep your finicky pets fed and tended, you’re in luck. ChatGPT found that Target is cheaper on several brands than even Walmart and other mass retailers. This includes Greenies pill pockets, as well as Iams and Purina pet foods. If your furry companions have strong preferences, or you’re managing special dietary needs, Target’s competitive pricing can make pet care noticeably more affordable month after month.

Medicine and First Aid

Target is also a reliable place to save on over-the-counter medicines and basic first-aid supplies. ChatGPT pointed out that brand-name essentials like Advil, Band-Aid, Neosporin and Tums are frequently lower in price compared with other drugstores or grocers. You want to keep well-stocked on these essential tools of wellness, and because they are largely nonperishable, it makes sense to buy them when you find a good price. Target’s website also makes it easy to compare sizes and formulations so you can ensure you’re getting the best unit cost.

Feminine Care

Women can stretch their budgets further at Target when restocking personal-care necessities. ChatGPT noted that major brands like Always, Tampax, First Response and Summer’s Eve often sell for less there without an added “pink tax.” Because these items are both essential and recurring purchases, even small savings can make a meaningful difference over the course of a year.

Why Target Can Be Cheaper for Some Things

While many national brands are competitively priced at Target, ChatGPT emphasized that the retailer’s strongest deals come from its own private-label lines like Up & Up (household basics), Smartly (soaps, cleaners), Good & Gather (food and pantry), Everspring (eco-cleaning) and more. By cutting out marketing expenses and sourcing directly, Target can sell store-brand versions of everyday essentials at significantly lower prices than name-brand competitors. If you’re prioritizing maximum savings, generics are still the way to go.

To stretch your dollars even further, ChatGPT recommended focusing on basic household essentials, stacking weekly promotions and digital coupons and signing up for a RedCard or Target Circle Rewards. Shoppers should still comparison-check premium, organic or specialty items since Target isn’t always the lowest-cost option in those categories.

Whether you’re restocking staples or hunting for reliable deals, knowing which brand-name items tend to run cheaper at Target can help you keep more money in your pocket.

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