The Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection has been the most sought-after and talked about collaboration with Target to date. What has become even bigger than the anticipated launch of this line was the social media frenzy and consumer backlash when Target's website and physical stores suffered customer overload.
Having spent the past five years in the ecommerce space, I have learned a thing or two about highly-anticipated promotions and launches, specifically to online retailers. It is very difficult, complex and time-consuming to place safeguards against significant traffic to your site. Few ecommerce platforms can help to handle the load and process all the functionality and features that enable a buyer to search, locate, and convert on their desired products. However, it is still a better and more reliable shopping experience than lining up at 5 am in front of your local store. The vast selection, pricing, color swatches, zoom capabilities and inventory availability (in store/online) provide consumers a more educated and detailed way to know what they want and how they can get it.
So rather than hopping in my car, lining up at my Target at 5 am, I rolled out of bed in my pj's, turned on my computer and watched as Target struggled to roll out the collection on time and without kinks. After multiple attempts to checkout, I finally received my confirmation email, and today, my shipment arrived.
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| The items I was able to snatch up before the site and stores were cleaned out. |
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| Cute pants for summer |
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| Great cover up for the beach or pool |
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| My first jump suit - not sure how I feel on them, but I couldn't pass up this print |
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| They call this a kimono - I feel like it could be a robe in the summer or a great cover up on a tropical getaway. |
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| This sounds kind of strange, but I hate wearing my havianas to the beach because I never know if all the sand is really out. These are stylish and affordable enough to get sandy and wet. |
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| This print is so neat |
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| Adorable shorts - love the pom pom trim. My Dad spent his entire career in the retail industry and told me that when clothes run a little big for sizing, the quality is normally superior. Lilly for Target is definitely on the looser end of fit. |
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| I normally don't splurge on beach towels - I feel like they just get sandy, wet and fade after all the washing. I couldn't pass up these details and heavy cotton used to make them, though. |
I adore all my items and count myself so lucky to have gotten in early on the site. I want to preface my closing with, anyone who is about to read this will say I am a hypocrite. "She got her stuff, of course she is lecturing the rest of us." "Easy to say when you got your items." And of course I realize anyone reading this who was unsuccessful in purchasing the Lilly for Target line may be really disappointed. I absolutely understand how they might feel, but I also think it's important to remind themselves that these things are just that, things.
It is no secret I was excited to receive these goodies, but I also know that if I was one of the ones who was unable to, my life would still continue each day and I would still have my happiness, health, and loved ones. Should Target have made some better business decisions? Sure. Are they paying the price for their launch with their PR right now? Maybe.
I sincerely hope our society, especially in our country, can keep in perspective what they do have. All of us, including myself, need to always remember what God has already given us and continues to provide us each day - and I can guarantee you, they are not things made from Target.
