Target Launches iOS and Android Apps for Cartwheel Savings Program

Target is one retailer that has never shied away from taking advantage of the consumer tech sector in its stores. The chain was one of the first to carry products like the Amazon Kindle and the Apple iPad. It was also one that was quick to adapt to online shopping trends like permanent price matching for those looking for a good bargain. In May, Target launched its own bargain hunting service called Cartwheel and this week it launched companion mobile application for iOS and Android.

The program is a fairly simple one. Cartwheel is basically an online coupon service that has also added a social feature through Facebook. The company has made it so that the more active you are through the social channels – sharing deals, redeeming coupons and inviting friends – the more benefits you will receive. People who are most active in the program will even receive special badges that will entitle them to extra savings and special offers.

When the service was launched, it was something that was only available through the browser but now there is an iPhone, iPad and Android application. The program is, of course, free to join. Once you are signed up you can browse the offered deals a couple of different ways. You can browse through the store’s offerings of weekly, monthly and daily deals like you would any other online site or you can actually check out what your Facebook friends have added to their Cartwheel profiles.

The application even lets you see what your friends have saved using the application, what they have actually bought and what they have just added to their lists. In order to redeem the offer price, you can either print off the barcode for the coupon or just take your mobile device into any local Target and redeem instore.

Starting out, new Cartwheel users can only add 10 items to their account at a time, but as you use the service more, the savings opportunities will grow.