Target provides a comprehensive benefits package to its workforce, including a significant employee discount program. This perk offers substantial savings on the vast array of merchandise sold by the company, both in stores and through digital channels. The discount is an important part of the overall compensation structure, immediately rewarding team members for their contributions.
The Standard Target Employee Discount
The core savings benefit is a standing ten percent reduction on most purchases. This discount applies to a large portion of the inventory, including general merchandise such as apparel, home decor, and electronics. The ten percent rate also extends to a wide selection of food items, helping reduce the cost of weekly groceries. Team members can apply this discount instantly at checkout, whether shopping in a physical store or through the company’s website or mobile application. The discount is linked directly to the unique team member identification number.
Discount Eligibility and Exclusions
All current employees, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal hires, are eligible for the discount starting on their first day of work. The benefit also extends to eligible immediate family members, such as a spouse, domestic partner, and financial dependents, who receive their own discount card. A retiree discount privilege is offered for those who meet specific tenure and age requirements, typically requiring the individual to be at least 55 years old with ten or more years of continuous service. Several product categories are excluded from the standard ten percent discount. These exclusions include gift cards (Target and third-party), alcohol, tobacco products, prescription medications, and certain services like those offered at Target Optical.
Maximizing Savings with the Employee Discount
The financial advantage of the employee discount increases significantly when combined with other company savings programs. Team members can stack the ten percent discount with the five percent savings provided by using a Target RedCard payment option. This combination allows for a substantial cumulative reduction on qualifying purchases. The total reduction is applied sequentially: the ten percent employee discount is applied first, and then the five percent RedCard discount is taken from the remaining subtotal. The employee discount can also be used in conjunction with personalized savings and weekly deals offered through the Target Circle loyalty program.
Related Financial Perks and Seasonal Bonuses
Beyond the core merchandise savings, the company offers a supplementary discount focused on healthy living. Team members receive an additional twenty percent off on a variety of health and wellness items, applied on top of the standard ten percent reduction. This higher discount applies to categories like fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, as well as select athletic apparel and gear brands. The intent of this enhanced savings is to encourage healthier choices.
Historically, while an across-the-board increase in the merchandise discount during peak holiday seasons is not consistent, the company has provided other financial incentives. These have included temporary wage increases, such as an extra two dollars per hour for employees working certain high-demand shifts during the busiest weeks of the holiday season.

