Disclaimer: this is only regarding my experiences at both stores. I’ve not been to every Walmart/Target in the world, but odds are that you’ve never been to my local Walmart/Target either.
I prefer going to Walmart instead of Target every time and for any sort of shopping. Walmart still has the sort of atmosphere of being a classic superstore that carries actual brands and has some image of option or variety. Everything at Target seems to be house brand and overpriced at that.
Most criticism about the Walmart shopping experience seems to be thinly-veiled classism and most pro-Target arguments are just “I don’t have to be around the poors.” Neither of these appeal to me and I find the atmosphere at Target to be overbearing, uncomfortably sanitized, and their security policies are invasive, to say the least.
I don’t care about the politics of either company. If I’m shopping at a fuckhuge superstore anyway, I’m probably in a rush and need whatever I’m there for that day. Neither store is ever my first choice (or second, third, etc.), and if I can, I’ll source whatever I need locally/used/or online, but if my only two options are Walmart or Target, I’ll go to Walmart every time.
My Walmart is too far away (20 minutes vs 5 to Target). If it weren’t for the distance, I’d be going to Walmart all day. It’s cheaper, they have a far better tools and auto part selection, some stores do tires, and their Douglas tire line is actually made by Goodyear and pretty decent quality. Their sporting goods, both outdoor stuff like hunting/ fishing, and team sport items and workout equipment, etc. is so much better than Target it’s laughable. As a male, I feel like they actually are trying to get my business with things I might want or need. I still make a journey out to mine here or there, but if there was one closer, it’d be my go to for sure.