Target has a set grouping of stores in each region that test higher pricing versus their other stores in the area. We have 30+ Targets around Minneapolis and you can clearly locate the test stores, which are often 5-10 miles away from a store with lower prices.
There is an initiative to comp to Wal-Mart, but they are also just testing sales rates at different prices. If they found that profit improved despite a volume decline, they would then have rationale to increase prices across all stores. Nifty way to test higher pricing, but frustrating for consumers who prefer to shop at the HP stores.
I usually don't let it affect my purchasing if I find something rare, but I try to not buy common stuff at the pricier stores and always try to make my returns to those stores to put them at a disadvantage.