Target locations imposing entry age policy before shopping – while customers laugh if ‘security’ job is available

SELECT Target stores have adopted a strict entry policy.

The rule currently only appears in a few of the retailer’s 1,963 locations nationwide, but it started appearing last year.

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In August 2023, rumors began to spread about a Target store in Sacramento, California, which began restricting entry to minors unless they were accompanied by an adult.

One local shopper, Trudy Medina, said she believes the supposed rule was implemented at the Sacramento store specifically due to some “bad apple” children who have disrupted the shopping experience for months, according to the local CBS affiliate. KOVR.

Target later responded and said the rule was not in effect, but in December 2023, a video went viral showing a sign outside a different store in New Jersey that detailed an age restriction for entry.

“All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at this Target store,” the sign read.

The clip took viewers through the location, which featured security guards checking identities at the door, closed self-checkout and items locked behind glass, among other anti-theft measures.

In April this year, a store in Washington DC inside a shopping mall in the region adopted the same measure.

Implementation of the policy could be spreading to other stores this summer, according to signs spotted by some shoppers in July.

SPREADING OUT?

“This must be the first time,” wrote one customer on a recent Reddit publish with a photo of the same age restriction sign at the entrance.

Others noted that they also detected the signs during recent trips to the grocery store.

“They also have the same signal on my target,” someone responded, blaming TikTok for introducing the policy.

“Ours has one that says you’re not allowed to be 16 or under without an adult after 8pm,” echoed another.

“I think they got tired of seeing children and teenagers destroying the store”, fumed a third.

Some even supported the age restriction.

“This should be the standard at all Target stores,” responded one frustrated customer in the Reddit thread.

Does Target charge for bags?

Target automatically charges customers for bags on delivery and pickup orders.

The store charges $1 for every 10 bags used, meaning each plastic bag costs 10 cents.

“Charging bag fees for online pickup orders is in line with fees that already existed for purchases made in Target stores at checkout,” Target shared on its website.

“If you are shopping at a store that charges baggage fees, they will be applied to your order.”

If a customer uses less than 10 bags in their order, the amount will be adjusted accordingly.

However, the rule depends on state and local laws, as different stores have different bag policies.

Some locations only charge a five-cent fee for bags, while some charge five cents per bag at store checkout — and some don’t even offer bags.

You can check how much you were charged for bags by viewing your order invoice through your Target account on Target.com or in the app.

Target also allows customers to bring their own bags to avoid the automatic fee since they added baggage preferences in March 2024.

If you order online for delivery or pickup at select stores, you can decline Target bags at checkout and tell the store that you will bring your own bags to receive your order.

“Please, I wish we had this, but it’s also impossible to enforce,” another shopper added.

Someone joked that a “bouncer” should be introduced to help check identities to enter age-restricted venues.

It’s unclear whether or not the policy will be implemented on a more national scale, but the US Sun has contacted Target for an official comment.

POLITICAL PAINS

Target also caused controversy over a self-checkout policy it implemented earlier this year.

After being tested in around 200 stores last year, the retailer decided to roll out its “Express Self-Checkout” model nationwide, restricting kiosks to customers with just 10 items or less.

This has caused serious backlash among some, who say the result has been long lines and waiting times.

Some said they were forced to leave items behind just to check out and begged the retailer to “please make this stop.”

Others are running away from competitors, saying they “prefer to shop at Walmart” because of the 10-item limit.

Walmart has also begun testing its version of the same policy with a 15-item limit on self-checkout at select stores.