A TARGET customer left his trolley in the aisle after being outraged by locked items.
The buyer noticed the lack of employees at the retail chain, with only two cashiers available.
Target has been criticized for locking up its items.
The controversial anti-theft measure left customers angry at the inconvenience.
In August 2024, Bloomberg published an article about how lockdowns and Target, CVS and other retailers “backfired.”
An angry customer responded to the story on Facebook publishclaiming that during his last visit to Target, he only purchased three items because the rest were locked in boxes.
He also stated that there were only two cash registers open.
“Tell me something that I, as a frustrated potential customer, didn’t already know,” the furious customer wrote, in part.
He continued, in part: “I was at Target this week for the first time in many months. I was left with only three items because not only were others locked, but only two cash registers were open.
“So the rest of the cart was left in an open aisle for an understaffed store to restock.”
TARGET SPEAKS
In November 2023, CNBC Courtney Reagan asked Target CEO Brian Cornell if the store had experienced a drop in sales due to customers being inconvenienced by having to wait for items.
Cornell said customers were pleased with the lockdown measures.
“Courtney, in the last week I’ve been on the East Coast and the West Coast in a lot of those stores you talked about where the items were locked up,” he said.
“And in fact what we hear from guests is a big thank you, because we stock the brands they need when they shop in our stores.
“And because we invest in the workforce of the team members in those aisles and make sure we’re there to greet the guest, open those boxes and provide them with the items they’re looking for.”
After Reagan asked once again about declining sales, Cornell responded, “Courtney, in many cases, is exactly the opposite.
Target’s anti-theft measures
Target has implemented several anti-theft measures to combat in-store crime.
The retail giant placed some items in locked boxes, which resulted in a negative reaction from customers.
In April 2024, reports emerged that the company was planning to add TruScan cameras to its self-scan records.
Target has also added weight sensors to its self-check registers in another move to combat theft.
“The fact that we have stock is what matters most to guests.
“And they understand the fact that we had to make some changes to ensure product safety and the fact that they have the product in stock when they shop in stores.”
CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS
However, despite Cornell’s claims, there have been customer outcry over blocked items at Target.
In June 2024, a shopper urged the retailer to hire more staff after people were left waiting for service.
“Hey @Target, if you want to keep most of your store’s products behind locked doors, you’re going to have to hire more workers to OPEN THEM,” the customer wrote on X.
“Every hallway at my destination had people waiting for staff. And waiting. And waiting.”
Another angry shopper also complained about the anti-crime measure on Facebook, saying he had to wait to unlock a $2 item at a Las Vegas, Nevada, store.
“I’m in Las Vegas and I went to Target to buy some small items, like water. They locked a lot of shelves to prevent shoplifting,” he said. he wrote.
“So after I finally found what I was looking for, I had to hire someone to open the case.
“They have a little red box that says wave your hand here for help. So I waved. Right hand, left hand, both hands. Nothing. I covered it with both hands, nothing.
Eventually, an employee came and opened the box, the irritated shopper said.
“So what was this item that was locked up more than Fort Knox? $75 box of cigarettes?
“No. $30 box of laundry detergent? No.
“It was a $2.19 saline nasal spray, also known as salt water.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story