Target wants to be sure it gets your holiday business this year. The retail giant has seen its profits take a nosedive this year, as shoppers cut back to just the essentials. Nearly half the store's revenue comes from nonessentials, though, like fashion and trendy housewares. To be sure they move items like this over the next month, Target will be offering some serious bargains.

The company says that it will match prices with its chief rival, Wal-Mart, in local markets, and will offer daily rotating value items on its website, while aggressively cutting prices on popular national brands. Though Target has cut prices around the holidays in previous years, Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel says the company is really ramping up its promotions for 2008, and expects to be the price leader on many gift items.

This makes Target very attractive for holiday shoppers this year. I remember doing most of my shopping there last year anyway, and I saved myself 10% extra by opening the Target credit card on the day I spent $500 on gifts for my family. Then I paid it off and closed the account. If you can exercise discipline, there's no reason not to go for the in-store credit card offers, especially if you can take 10 or more percent off a large purchase. With the Target credit card profits dropping sharply recently, I wouldn't be surprised to see the store offer even better incentives to qualified applicants. Don't forget to check the website for those rotating value items, too.

According to HD Guru, Sony is planning huge price cuts on their 2008 model HD TVs in May. Apparently Sony has been deeply saddened by loosing the number one spot to a slew of rivals and is taking steps to gain back the bragging rights. This is great news for consumers who will see price cuts between 20 and 25% on current models including the Bravia Line beginning in May.

This is awesome news even if you aren't interested in inflating Sony's ego. A move like this should force other major manufacturers to drop price, including Toshiba, Panasonic and even resellers like Westinghouse. Similarly this downward trend in pricing could force plasma TV prices to drop in order to remain competitive. A situation like this could do a lot stimulate the economy; mix the stimulus package with concern for the digital TV switchover, toss in drastically reduced prices and many consumers will easily find a reason to buy a new TV.

If you are in the market for a TV, you better wait a week or so until prices start dropping. If you aren't looking for a Sony brand LCD, put your purchase on hold until the end of the month to let manufacturers and retailers catch up to the price drops. There are few things more annoying than seeing the TV you just set up at home 25% cheaper a week later. If you have already purchased an HD TV be sure to check on the price guarantee many big box retailers have. If it looks like you will run out of time before your new Sony's price is corrected you may want to return it and pick one up when the price drops, watch out for restocking fees if you go this route.