Ubiquitous, familiar, and sometimes a little addictive, Target is a staple big-box store that many shoppers rely on to save on essentials — a host of items, from groceries to clothing and housewares are available at great prices.
But this often-beloved retailer is not without its warts, which are very real and may tarnish your Target experience — even if some of them manage to fly under the radar.
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1. Closed self-checkout stations
Over the last ten years, you likely noticed that Target has been installing self-checkout stations, a project that cost the company millions. If you noticed that they’ve been shutting them down lately, you might be scratching your head.
Why the closures, which have caused long lines and shopper frustration? Target wants to reduce the losses caused by shopper error and theft.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Damaged delivery items
Who doesn’t love getting a delivery from one of your favorite stores? We all do, except when the items inside the box arrive damaged. In one case, a reviewer said a ceramic bowl arrived broken due to shoddy packing.
In another instance, multiple customers who ordered vinyl records discovered they were bent due to poor packing practices.
3. Extremists have caused violence in stores
Target has sold a line of merchandise to celebrate Pride Month for many years, but recent opposition to this practice has caused problems. In some cases, customers have confronted employees, tried to damage merchandise, and made threats on social media.
In response, Target no longer carries the Pride line in some of its stores, citing “historical sales performance” as the reason for the change.
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4. Higher prices on staple goods and common items
Target and Walmart are rivals in the big box space, each with their own loyal customers. However, Target may have to work harder to keep devotees from switching over to Walmart because of one big issue: prices.
For example, in February 2024, Walmart’s prices were, on average, 8.6% lower than Target’s. That’s significant enough to make you reconsider your next shopping trip.
5. High theft rates
With grocery prices high and folks feeling strapped by the rising cost of living, it’s not surprising that theft has been an issue in recent years.
Target has been outspoken about stealing, both on small and large scales. Theft can also lead to higher prices for shoppers.
Although Target has reduced shrink more recently, it has closed stores that were particularly impacted.
6. No more 1% back for Circle members
If you haven’t checked your Target Circle wallet in a while, you might be surprised to learn that there’s been a policy change: As of April 2024, you no longer get 1% of your total spending deposited into your wallet.
That might be a rude awakening if you like to let things accumulate and then get a nice chunk of change all at once.
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These days, there seems to be an endless number of ways to pay for things, from apps like Venmo and CashApp to debit and credit cards. But even in this crowded landscape, there was still room for personal checks—until now.
Target no longer accepts personal checks, although 3% of customers still use them. At least cash is still acceptable tender.
8. Store safety has been a concern
One major issue for Target has been safety in some of its locations. According to the retailer, “theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests and contributing to unsustainable business performance.”
Target went as far as to close stores where crime was causing security concerns. Certainly, shopping isn’t a pleasure when you’re afraid you may get harmed.
9. Understaffing has led to shopper frustration
Closing self-checkout stations isn’t the only cause of long lines at Target. Rather, understaffing reported by employees has allegedly wreaked havoc on some Target stores. To combat long lines, cashiers call for backup, which means other tasks go unfinished.
It stands to reason that with fewer employees, you’ll have to work harder to get assistance from Target employees in any part of the store.
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While Target has taken steps to compensate employees more than they have to by law, its starting wage for entry-level positions is $15 per hour. With the cost of living rising across the country, that’s arguably not enough to keep up with the bills.
The company has shared that it’s implementing a range from $15 to $24, an improvement.
Bottom line
Shopping at Target can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, especially if you use a rewards card that earns you perks and discounts. However, shopping at some Target locations may lead to frustration due to these problems.
Fortunately, it looks like Target is implementing policies to improve customer experience and give employees what they need—and we'd love to see that.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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