‘I missed the mark,’ shoppers scream as Target announces it will close another location next month after backlash over prices

CONSUMERS have expressed their frustrations over questionable prices at a soon-to-close Target store.

The Target store in Palo Alto, California, is expected to close in the coming months, but shoppers said they are not surprised.

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“I recently came here for the first time and put all the items back in my cart after comparing prices online,” wrote one social media user on Reddit. “They wanted a crazy markup for everything.”

‘NOT SURPRISED’

Many local residents said they weren’t surprised by the store’s closure, as it hadn’t been getting much foot traffic in recent months.

“I’m not surprised. I’ve never been particularly busy,” said one shopper.

Others argued that the store location had a limited selection of items and groceries, which drove people to other nearby stores.

“Their stock was always scarce and seemed run down and poorly managed,” said another user.

“Yeah, I guess that whole shopping center deals with a lot of robberies. Redwood City Target not that far away. Much nicer store too.”

“I think the plaza is generally bad and poorly designed is a big factor,” echoed another.

Several shoppers said purchasing online was a superior decision.

After Target and other big-name retailers began putting merchandise under lock and key, shoppers said they were steering away from in-store shopping.

Instead, consumers preferred to shop online to avoid wasted time and extra hassle.

Some have even said they prefer to shop at competing retailers that don’t implement the same strict anti-theft policies that are ruining customers’ in-store shopping experience.

MORE CLOSINGS

In July, Target leadership announced that the Palo Alto store would close permanently as shoppers continued to worry about where to get affordable products efficiently.

This comes after several chains announced the closure of stores that were unable to generate sufficient revenue as companies battled inflation, theft and rising labor costs.

The store in San Francisco’s East Palo Alto will close on Sept. 28, said Joe Unger, a Target spokesman. SFGATE.

Target for store closures in 2023

The retailer announced that nine Target stores in four states would close starting October 21, 2023:

• New York City Market: Harlem: 517 E 117th Street
• Seattle University Way: 4535 University Way NE
• Seattle Ballard: 1448 NW Market St, Ste 100
• SF Folsom and 13th St: 1690 Folsom St
• Oakland Broadway and 27th: 2650 Broadway
• Pittsburg: 4301 Century Blvd.
• Portland Gallery: 939 SW Morrison St
• Portland Powell: 3031 SE Powell Blvd
• Portland-Hollywood: 4030 NE Halsey St

According to the company, the site has long struggled to meet expected standards.

The decision to close the store came “after much consideration,” Unger said, citing the issue of “prolonged underperformance.”

Despite the closure of the struggling location, the retailer is making efforts to retain all employees.

This latest closure announcement will be Target’s fourth closure for the Bay Area in less than a year.

Meanwhile, Dollar General is expected to close five stores in the same district of the US city.

And a Costco customer hit out at the retailer after her groceries were stolen from her.