Target used to be this wonderful store filled with affordable yet stylish clothing, shoes, home decor, etc. It was often called Tar-jey because by making it sound French, it was classy, timeless, and chic. Tyra Banks even gave it props on Oprah about eight years ago because it was so awesome. It was where I went to buy basic things like contact solution, vitamins, gum, pet supplies, and Fruity Pebbles. While shopping at Target I did not feel like white trash or that I was promoting the poor treatment of employees (cough, Wal*mart, cough). I felt like I was classy, timeless, and chic. Well, sort of.
Lately Target has been the least likely place I will go to shop. I wouldn't say the quality of their merchandise has gone down but the selection has. They promote items in their weekly sales circular that they often don't even carry in the store. It's frustrating but the lack of items is not even my biggest complaint.
Target looks and smells like a greasy neon carnival tore through the store and stole its pizzazz and aesthetics. I'm sure this is not true for all Target stores, but my local Target is gross. The shelves are cluttered and disheveled, the fitting rooms are beyond recognition due to the piles and carts full of clothes that block the entrance to it, and the place is just dirty. Most price scanners don't work. At any given time there are about three registers open, none of which are express, so you have to wait behind people with their carts packed while you're carrying about five items. This has more to do with my opinion of aesthetics than it does with actual functionality, but their cash registers are just scary. They're the same ones from about ten years ago but are terribly discolored and clunky looking. The same is true for their customer service counter. It's a time waaaaaarp! Not helping matters is the disgusting and poor excuse for a "food court" they have near a majority of the registers. I have a sneaking suspicion that the grease particles from the scary Taco Bell and scarier Pizza Hut travels toward the registers and clings to them, causing permanent discoloration. Improbable but still a gross thought nonetheless. The store reeks like old oil from a deep fryer that hasn't been cleaned in a decade. I wouldn't eat there if you paid me. And I think free food is great.
Overall I feel like Target's entire image needs some revamping. I know they're trying to be more competitive with stores like Wal*mart, especially in the midst of this wonderful economic climate we're experiencing, but I think they need to try a little harder. Right now Wal*mart looks like a waterfront condo while Target looks like a double wide in a trailer park. Time to get it together, Tar-jey! De-stink your store, get rid of the scary prepared "food" that you sell there, and clean it all up. Then I'll love you again forever and ever.
Dude, same brain. I'm on an anti-Wal*mart kick right now (< insert something vague about gay rights here >), and Target felt like my only alternative. But you can find what they sell (and as you so rightly say, proport to sell) elsewhere for cheaper, while doing your part for the Mom & Pop stores and the economy.
ReplyDeleteWhen did I get old?
Yeah, Target does look rather gross at times. I especially enjoy the distinct Target stench of day-old pizza and Taco Bell that just lingers to your clothes...
ReplyDeleteThe register thing, too! That really drives me effing crazy. Hire some more people, dammit!
I still prefer Target to Wal-Mart though. I can't help it!
Oh I definitely prefer Target over Wal*mart. I feel so horrible shopping at Wal*mart but sometimes it can't be helped (ie, they're the only ones open or carry something no one else does).
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that Walmart's labour costs are effectively subsidised by the American taxpayer, allowing the chain to thrive at the expense of everyone else, and it creates a ripple effect throughout all the surrounding retailers. I would bet that the Target you describe is simply trying to cut costs in order to compete. Unfortunately, when any company is allowed to cheat and steal the way Walmart does, competing means hiring less staff, less skilled staff, and scaling back things that relate to the customer's experience of the store. What is really needed is for the government to stop whoring itself to the corporate sector and introduce some regulation so that one retailer cannot thrive at the expense of everyone else.
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