Minneapolis — Target is getting in on the connected-home action.
The nation’s No. 2 discount chain is currently trialing home-automation products in about 500 of its approximately 1,800 stores.
Items being tested include lighting, thermostats, smoke alarms and door locks, a Target spokesperson told TWICE.
Online, the retailer has organized its home automation assortment under a dedicated “Smart Home” landing page that breaks out the category into thermostat, security, lighting, fitness, home control, entertainment and networking products.
News of the Target test follows word from über-retailer Walmart of a connected-home display program that’s being rolled out to 1,700 stores this month.
Both discounters follow national chains Staples, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Best Buy in merchandising home-automation products in stores and trail Amazon.com online. The No. 1 e-tailer launched a home-automation store a little over a year ago and has since nearly doubled its assortment to thousands of connected products, including more than 100 exclusive introductions.