The Shops at Target: Underwhelming Cosbar & Privet House Displays

Pictured: The Cos Bar at Target display (photo: M. Hall)

Yesterday I stopped by the launch of the shops at Target to see what all the buzz was about.  I didn’t see many Target shoppers excited about the shops.  I check out the beauty and bath products at Cosbar and Privet House and was frankly underwhelmed.  With Cosbar, there were no testers on the display, so unless you’ve visited their shop in Aspen, it’s hard to know what all the buzz is about, since you can’t try it before you buy it.  I checked to see what my fellow blogger and expert on all things Target, Target Addict , thought, and she summed it up Cosbar at Target very nicely. “While the wrapped soaps were pretty, I passed on these, because you can get even prettier (and larger) wrapped Italian soaps at discount retailers like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s,” says Target Addict. I agree 100%. I’ve bought Molton Brown at TJ Maxx, so Cosbar didn’t thrill me. I did buy one Cosbar item though, the Cosbar Target Cooling Eye Mask for $6.00 US.  Since I am prone to taking red-eye flights, I thought it might be good to have this eye mask on hand. I’ll let you know if it’s worth the $6.00 price tag.

Pictured: Privet House for Target (photo: M. Hall)

 The other “shop” I checked out was the Privet House interior design displays.  This plastic dishes and mugs are cute, especially if you are a college student or 20 something decorating for the first time.  They are cute, but not distinctive.  For the price, I think TJ Maxx Home Goods offers better quality items.  Some of the Privet House home furnishings are ridiculously over priced.  Eighty bucks for a pouf? Not.  This is the same Target issue Pouf that has been decorated with Missoni covering, Calyspo designs and now Privet House design, and then sold for upwards of $100.00.  For me, it’s not a must have.  I came away think the shops were a bit disappointing, and I think Target shoppers agree.  The continual issue of budget rebranded luxury goods is becoming a bit non-descript.  I forsee  a Clearance in the future.  Watch this space!