Consumer News: Target shares details on 'Back to School-idays' sale

Faster shipping is expanding nationwide, with fees and fine print to consider

• Amazon is rolling out one-hour and three-hour delivery options across thousands of U.S. cities.

• Fast delivery applies to over 90,000 everyday items, from groceries to electronics.

• The convenience comes with added fees even for Prime members.

If youve ever wished your online order could show up almost as quickly as takeout, Amazon is getting closer to making that a reality.

The retail giant has announced expanded one-hour and three-hour delivery options for customers across the U.S., pushing the boundaries of how fast online shopping can be.

The move reflects a bigger shift in consumer expectations: faster, more convenient delivery is no longer a luxury its becoming the norm. And with competitors like Walmart and Target also racing to speed things up, Amazon is doubling down on near-instant gratification.

Our customers are busier than ever and are looking for new ways to save time while keeping their households running. We saw an opportunity to use our unique operational expertise and delivery network to help make customers lives a little easier while unlocking even more value for Prime members, Udit Madan, senior vice president of Worldwide Operations at Amazon, said in a news release.

Were excited to say that two decades after Prime first launched, were still innovating to make delivery even faster, while maintaining the same everyday low prices and vast selection Amazon is known for.

What the new delivery options include

Amazons latest rollout gives customers access to tens of thousands of products that can arrive in just a few hours or even less. Were talking about more than 90,000 items, including groceries, household essentials, health products, electronics, toys, and clothing.

Heres how it works:

• One-hour delivery is available in hundreds of cities and towns across the country

• Three-hour delivery is much more widespread, reaching over 2,000 locations across the U.S.

A full list of eligible locations is available here.

To make these options easier to find, Amazon is also introducing a new get it fast shopping page, along with filters and product tags that highlight items eligible for ultra-fast delivery.

But speed comes at a price. Prime members can expect to pay around $9.99 for one-hour delivery and $4.99 for three-hour delivery.

If you dont have a Prime membership, those fees are even higher $19.99 for one-hour delivery and $14.99 for three-hour delivery.

What shoppers should know before using it

While the idea of near-instant delivery is undeniably appealing, it may not always be the best option for every purchase.

For one, the added fees can stack up quickly especially if youre using these services regularly. And not every item qualifies, so youll still need to check availability based on your location and what youre buying.

For last-minute needs forgotten groceries, a broken phone charger, or a last-second gift these faster options could be a game changer.

For everyday shopping, it may come down to a simple question: how much is right now really worth to you?

A three-day sale brings major discounts across top categories

• Target Circle Deal Days will run March 2527 with discounts up to 50% for members.

• Thousands of items across home, beauty, apparel, and essentials are included in the sale.

• Targets free Circle membership unlocks deals, with extra perks for paid Target Circle 360 users.

Spring savings are heating up as Target brings back its popular Target Circle Deal Days event, giving shoppers a chance to snag deep discounts on everything from home goods to everyday essentials.

The limited-time sale is designed to highlight seasonal trends while helping consumers stretch their budgets, especially as many households continue to look for ways to cut costs.

The event is exclusive to members of Target Circle, the retailers free loyalty program, making it an easy entry point for shoppers who want access to deals without paying a fee. And with discounts reaching up to 50% off, this spring sale is shaping up to be one of the biggest opportunities to save ahead of the new season.

"As we head into spring and summer, consumers are craving newness and value, so we're spotlighting the season's hottest trends with big deals," Sarah Travis, executive vice president and chief digital and revenue officer, Target, said in a news release.

"Whether refreshing their spring wardrobe, giving their home a seasonal update or discovering new beauty favorites, this three-day event brings together the season's most sought-after products paired with incredible value and the joyful, easy experience guests expect from Target. Target Circle is how you get the best of Target it's the foundation of how we reward loyalty and deliver more value, access and inspiration every day."

What shoppers can expect from the sale

Target Circle Deal Days will run from March 25 through March 27, offering three days of deals across thousands of items. Additionally, Circle 360 members get access to the sale a day early, beginning March 24 at 2 a.m. CT.

Target will also be bringing back its Deal of the Day, highlighting special one-day exclusive savings on some of the biggest brands.

Some of the top offers Target has already announced include:

• Up to 50% off select toys from Barbie, Gigglescape, PAW Patrol and more

• Up to 40% off women's apparel including A New Day, Universal Thread and AVA & VIV

• 40% off select skincare from BYOMA, Bubble Skincare, Good Molecules, Vacation, Carroten and more

• 40% off select home, kitchen and dining, including Keurig, Cuisinart and Ninja

• 40% off select floorcare, including Shark, Dyson, Bissell, Roborock and Sharper Image

If youre not a Target Circle member, this sale might just convince you to join. The retailer has announced some perks for joining Circle throughout this sale:

• 15% off your first purchase if you join Target Circle between March 15-24

• $100 in Target Circle Rewards if youre approved for a Target Circle Credit Card between March 15-27

• 50% off a one-year Target Circle 360 membership ($49.99/year) if you join between March 15-27

What consumers should know before shopping

For shoppers looking to make the most of Target Circle Deal Days, timing and preparation matter.

Its worth keeping an eye on overlapping promotions. Target frequently layers its sales with extra incentives like spend and get a gift card offers which can boost overall savings if you plan purchases strategically.

Consider making a list before the sale starts. With thousands of discounted items, its easy to get sidetracked but focusing on seasonal needs or everyday essentials can help you maximize value without overspending.

The simple ways consumers are slashing $30$50 off their monthly internet bill

• Millions are now ditching cable internet: Comcast and Spectrum lost over onemillion broadband customers in 2025 alone.

• Cheaper alternatives are booming: 5G home internet, fiber, and satellite options are pulling customers away with plans often priced $30$50 less per month.

• Simple switches can save big: Check for 5G availability, downgrade your speed, ditch bundles, and use promo offers to cut your bill without sacrificing performance.

The cord-cutting movement may be entering a second phase and this time its not just about canceling cable TV.

Millions of consumers are now walking away from cable internet providers as well, a shift analysts are calling Cord Cutting 2.0.

New industry data shows major cable companies like Comcast and Spectrum lost large numbers of broadband customers in 2025 as competition from wireless and fiber services grows.

Comcast reportedly lost more than 700,000 broadband customers in 2025, while Spectrum lost over 400,000 internet subscribers. At the same time, millions of households continue to cancel traditional cable TV packages in favor of streaming services.

Where are the customers moving too

Much of the growth is going to wireless carriers offering home internet powered by cellular networks.

For example, T-Mobile added more than 1.8 million new 5G home internet customers in 2025, while Verizon and AT&T are expanding both fiber and wireless broadband options.

Satellite internet is also improving. SpaceXs Starlink now serves many rural areas that previously had limited broadband choices.

For consumers, that growing competition means more opportunities to save, especially for households still paying for bundled cable TV and internet packages.

Check for 5G home internet in your area

One of the easiest ways to reduce your monthly internet bill is to see if 5G home internet is available where you live.

Check out plans from T-Mobile and Verizon as they often run in the $50-$70/month range. Their monthly price typically includes equipment and taxes as well.

5G plans can be significantly cheaper than cable broadband packages that climb above $90-$100, especially once your promotional pricing expires.

Test speeds before canceling cable

Before switching providers, run several internet speed tests during different times of the day.

Many households discover they are paying for more speed than they actually need. For example, streaming TV typically only requires 25 Mbps, yet many cable customers pay for 500 Mbps or more.

Choosing a lower speed tier, or switching to fixed wireless, can cut your monthly bill without affecting performance.

Look for contract-free plans

One of the biggest advantages of newer internet services is flexibility.

Many wireless home internet providers offer no contracts, no installation fees, and price guarantees, allowing customers to switch providers easily if performance doesnt meet expectations.

That flexibility can be useful as internet competition continues to evolve, allowing you to switch to the cheaper option without much hassle.

Separate your TV and internet services

Many consumers still stick with cable internet because its bundled with their cable TV package. But streaming services have made those bundles far less necessary.

Instead of paying for large channel packages, simply combine a broadband connection with streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube TV. For cord cutters, this is the best way to pay less and still get access to the programming you want to watch.

Watch for promotional deals when switching

Internet providers frequently offer incentives to attract new customers giving you some nice leverage to work a deal.

These promo deals often include free equipment, prepaid gift cards, or several months of discounted service. Be sure to compare multiple providers before signing-up so you can find the best deal.

The agency has sent warning letters to 97 dealers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent warning letters to 97 auto dealer groups nationwide about deceptive pricing practices.

• Regulators say advertised vehicle prices must include all mandatory fees consumers are required to pay.

• The agency signaled it will continue monitoring dealerships and take enforcement action if violations persist.

The Federal Trade Commission is stepping up scrutiny of auto dealers across the country, warning nearly 100 dealership groups that misleading price advertising could trigger enforcement action.

In letters sent to 97 auto groups, the FTC emphasized that any price advertised to consumers must reflect the full amount a buyer is required to pay, including all mandatory fees. The agency urged dealerships to review their pricing and advertising practices to ensure consistency between advertised prices and what customers are ultimately charged.

At a minimum, this means advertised prices should match actual prices charged to consumers, the FTC said, adding that it will continue monitoring the marketplace for compliance with federal law.

Curbing common complaints

Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said the effort is aimed at curbing a common complaint among car buyers low advertised prices that increase significantly during the purchasing process.

The FTC will remain focused on monitoring auto dealerships to ensure that the market functions efficiently and competitors are transparently competing on price, Mufarrige said.

The warning letters are part of a broader FTC push to promote price transparency across multiple industries, including rental housing, hotels, ticketing, grocery delivery, and auto sales. The agency says the goal is to ensure consumers are not surprised by hidden charges or undisclosed fees that inflate the final cost of a product or service.

The FTC outlined several pricing practices it considers illegal or deceptive in the auto industry. These include advertising prices that exclude required fees, promoting discounts or rebates notavailable to all consumers, and failing to disclose required down payments. Other violations cited include conditioning advertised prices on dealer financing, requiring add-on purchases not reflected in the price, and advertising vehicles that are unavailable.

The agency also pointed to ongoing enforcement actions against companies such as Lindsay Chevrolet, Leader Automotive Group, and Asbury Automotive Group as examples of its crackdown on deceptive pricing.

The FTC said it will continue to evaluate dealer practices and warned that additional action could follow if violations are found.

Delays and cancellations are still common

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Airline operations are improving nationwide, but delays and cancellations persist at major hubs.

• Carriers are working through aircraft and crew imbalances caused by the storm.

• Travel experts say a full return to normal schedules could take another 2472 hours.

Commercial airline schedules across the United States are slowly returning to normal following a powerful winter storm that disrupted travel for millions, but significant delays and scattered cancellations remain a reality for travelers today.

Airlines resumed more regular operations overnight after the storm system moved out of key regions in the Midwest and Northeast. However, the ripple effects of widespread cancellations continue to affect flight schedules, particularly at major hub airports such as Chicago OHare, New Yorks LaGuardia and JFK, and Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson.

Industry analysts say the current phase is less about weather and more about logistics. Aircraft and flight crews were left out of position during the height of the storm, forcing airlines to reshuffle resources across their networks.

Passengers are still encountering long lines at customer service counters and crowded gates as airlines work through backlogs of rebooked travelers. While fewer flights are being canceled compared to the peak of the storm, delays remain common, particularly for connecting itineraries. Its a good idea to check with your airline before heading to the airport.

Many change fees are being waived

Airlines have issued travel waivers for affected regions, allowing passengers to change flights without fees. Many carriers are also adding extra flights where possible to accommodate displaced travelers, though capacity remains tight.

Transportation officials say conditions are improving steadily, but caution that a full return to normal schedules may take another one to three days, depending on airport congestion and operational constraints.

Travelers with flights scheduled in the next 24 hours are being advised to check their flight status frequently and allow extra time at the airport.

Despite the disruptions, aviation experts note that the system is functioning as expected following a storm of this magnitude. This is a typical recovery curve, the expert said. Its frustrating for passengers, but its part of how a highly interconnected air travel system resets after a major weather event.