Prince on Target

Here's a matchup we didn't see coming: rocker Prince and retail outlet Target.

On March 29th, the 80s megastar will release a three-disc CD which includes two new albums - LOtUSFLOW3R and MPLSoUND - and a third by new artist Bria Valente.

The set will cost just $11.98 and will only be available at Target stores and on their website.

"Prince has long been renowned as one of the world's most original and iconic musical artists," Target executive Mark Schindele told Billboard. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share his most recent work."

Prince joins artists like AC/DC and The Eagles who sold millions of CDs through exclusive deals with Wal-Mart. Most recently Christina Aguilera signed a deal to distribute her "Keeps Getting Better" greatest hits CD exclusively through Target.

Target Pushes Aggressive Price Cuts

Target wants to be sure it gets your holiday business this year. The retail giant has seen its profits take a nosedive this year, as shoppers cut back to just the essentials. Nearly half the store's revenue comes from non-essentials, though, like fashion and trendy housewares. To be sure they move items like this over the next month, Target will be offering some serious bargains.

The company says that it will match prices with its chief rival, Wal-Mart, in local markets, and will offer daily rotating value items on its website, while aggressively cutting prices on popular national brands. Though Target has cut prices around the holidays in previous years, Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel says the company is really ramping up its promotions for 2008, and expects to be the price leader on many gift items.

This makes Target very attractive for holiday shoppers this year. I remember doing most of my shopping there last year anyway, and I saved myself 10% extra by opening the Target credit card on the day I shopped for my friends and family. Then I paid it off and closed the account. If you can exercise discipline, there's no reason not to go for the in-store credit card offers, especially if you can take 10 or more percent off a large purchase. With the Target credit card profits dropping sharply recently, I wouldn't be surprised to see the store offer even better incentives to qualified applicants.

You should not forget to check the website for those rotating value items, too.

Christina Aguilera’s Target Commercial

Christina Aguilera gets to play various superheroes in her new comic book-inspired commercial for Target.

Christina’s new album, Keeps Getting’ Better – A Decade of Hits, goes on sale exclusively at Target starting Tuesday, November 11th.

Entertainment Weekly gave it a B+, saying, “The singer has banished melisma and belting from these electronic confections, and her chops sound just as hot set on simmer.

The real curiosity is a ‘Beautiful’ redo that imagines how John Lennon might’ve sounded if he’d lived into the age of electro.”

Here's the Target commercial for your viewing pleasure: