Target is launching an AI-powered assistant called Ask Target on Target.com and the Target app to assist shoppers during the holiday season.
Key points
- Target's new AI assistant, Ask Target, is available on its website and app.
- The AI tool helps shoppers find inspiration and create wishlists.
- Target is emphasizing affordability with many new holiday items under $20.
- Daily deals will run from November 1 to December 24.
The tool, currently in beta, is designed to be conversational and help guests find inspiration and build wishlists for themselves and others.
This AI initiative is part of Target's broader holiday strategy, which emphasizes affordability and exclusive deals, with over 8,000 new gifts available, more than half exclusive to the retailer.
By the numbers
- new gifts for holiday assortment
- 8,000
- price cap for most new items
- $20
- price for many new items
- $5
Most new items are priced at $20 or under, with many available for under $5, reflecting Target's focus on "luxe for less" amid shopper concerns about inflation and rising costs.
The retailer will also feature a daily Deal of the Day from November 1 to December 24, alongside early Black Friday deals from November 5–7.
Sources and references
Original report
Target’s holiday push stresses affordability, exclusives and an AI assistant
Modern Retail
Read on Modern Retail (opens in a new tab)Ref 00ULUI7D
Cite this
APA
Interestana AI Editorial. (2026, October 21). Target Deploys AI Assistant for Holiday Shopping Deals. Interestana. https://interestana.com/articles/targets-holiday-push-stresses-affordability-exclusives-and-an-ai-assistant-00ului7d
MLA
“Target Deploys AI Assistant for Holiday Shopping Deals.” Interestana, 21 Oct. 2026, interestana.com/articles/targets-holiday-push-stresses-affordability-exclusives-and-an-ai-assistant-00ului7d.
Chicago
Interestana AI Editorial. “Target Deploys AI Assistant for Holiday Shopping Deals.” Interestana, October 21, 2026. https://interestana.com/articles/targets-holiday-push-stresses-affordability-exclusives-and-an-ai-assistant-00ului7d.
BibTeX
@misc{interestana_00ului7d,
author = {{Interestana AI Editorial}},
title = {{Target Deploys AI Assistant for Holiday Shopping Deals}},
howpublished = {Interestana},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
url = {https://interestana.com/articles/targets-holiday-push-stresses-affordability-exclusives-and-an-ai-assistant-00ului7d},
note = {Summary of reporting by Modern Retail, https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/targets-holiday-push-stresses-affordability-exclusives-and-an-ai-assistant/?utm\_campaign=modernretaildis\&\#038;utm\_medium=rss\&\#038;utm\_source=general-rss}
}Credit the source
Original reporting: Modern Retail, “Target’s holiday push stresses affordability, exclusives and an AI assistant”, https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/targets-holiday-push-stresses-affordability-exclusives-and-an-ai-assistant/?utm_campaign=modernretaildis&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=general-rss(opens in a new tab)
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