The Twin Cities is one of the core markets where hometown retailer Target Corp. is testing out its new beacons that I wrote about in a story today.

The small, rectangular boxes have been placed in nondescript places around 15 stores in the Twin Cities. They are among 50 stores nationwide that are testing the new technology that will send deals, coupons and product recommendations to smartphones through the Target app if shoppers opt into the service.

Target is also testing beacons in a handful of stores in other markets including Denver, Chicago, New York, Portland, PIttsburgh, Seattle, and San Francisco.

If you want to check it out for yourself, here's a list of the stores in the Twin Cities that are part of the pilot:

  • Apple Valley
  • Bloomington
  • Burnsville
  • Edina
  • Maple Grove
  • Minneapolis (all 4 city stores)
  • Minnetonka
  • Plymouth
  • Richfield
  • Roseville
  • St. Paul
  • Woodbury