The Brilliance of Redbox

(Foot) Traffic Driver

If you've stepped foot in (or in front of) a Byerly's, McDonald's, or a zillion other retail outlets in the last two years or so, you've undoubtedly seen them: big, red kiosks with the name "Redbox" on them.

Each one is stocked with the most popular 100 or so DVD's, which rent for $1 a day.

In an age of online, instant everything, isn't that, well, kind of anachronistic?

Only until you realize -- after your 3rd trip to Byerly's in as many days -- that you seem to be setting foot in their store a lot more often.

And leaving with at least a couple items each time that you didn't know you needed (conveniently, the weekly coupon display is just steps from the Redbox kiosk :)

St. Louis Park (Retail) Showdown

Target vs. Byerly's

There's an interesting little retail showdown unfolding right now in St. Louis Park, just east of Highway 100.

On the south side of 36th St. is a Byerly's grocery store (the flagship, actually). Directly across the street is a Target (the "regular," not "Super Target" variety).

As the ubiquitous signs alert you, the Target is undergoing a major renovation, primarily to add a grocery store.

Turf War?

That would appear to be a shot across the bow of Byerly's, which seems to be courting more middle income shoppers with regular discounts, coupons, etc.

Up until now, of course, the two companies seemed to have enjoyed an almost-symbiotic relationship, whereby they occupy adjacent locations in what must be a dozen-plus locations around the Twin Cities.

Will Byerly's respond by selling clothes and detergent??