As shoppers turn away from Target, its employees appear to be dissatisfied too, as half of them say they have little faith in the store, according to a new survey. For over two years, Target's sales have been either flat or falling as competitors have adopted a similar trendy yet affordable approach to their merchandise, and amid backlash for its reversals in diversity, equity and inclusion policies. A companywide survey released in early June found about 40 percent of the around 260,000 staffers who replied said they didn't have confidence in Target's future, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. Scores from respondents at Target's Minneapolis headquarters were even lower. Yet, about 80 percent of these workers said they plan to stay with the company, according to a Target spokesman who spoke with the Journal. The spokesman admitted the survey shows "our team is not happy with the current performance." The Independent has reached out to Target for comment. Target is also striking out with shoppers who are leaving their once-beloved "Tar-zhay" for retailers that are perceived to have lower prices and better items, the Journal reported, citing internal data and former and current executives. "In a world where we operate today, our guests are looking for Tar-zhay," Target Chief Executive Brian Cornell told investors in a March meeting, per the Journal. The fancy nickname was coined decades ago for the store that sold fashionable items and more elevated everyday goods compared to retailers offering budget basic goods, such as Walmart, according to the publication, which spoke with former Target CEO Bob Ulrich. "We just built these fun, great things at a hell of a price," Ulrich said. Target has taken hits after pulling back on its Pride merchandise in 2023 following considerable backlash. The chain announced earlier this year it would end some diversity programs as the Trump administration rebuked companies' DEI initiatives nationwide. When Target rolled out its 2023 Pride collection, several videos popped up on social media of customers destroying the pro-LGBTQ attire. Target said at the time it had "experienced threats impacting our team members' sense of safety and well-being while at work" and that it would be "removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior." The company has never fully recovered from the backlash it received over the collection. Target has taken hits after pulling back on its Pride merchandise in 2023 following considerable backlash (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Target has taken hits after pulling back on its Pride merchandise in 2023 following considerable backlash (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Arianna, a 31-year-old teacher and mom from East Texas, recently told The Independent how she used to take her young daughter to Target for a weekly trip before June 2024. "It was just a relaxing place to go and spend time with my girl," she said. But then she joined shoppers who decided to boycott the store after announcing its pull-back on DEI initiatives. "I don't like how they're propagating right-wing ideals by removing their DEI initiatives and basically turning their backs on [people of color]," Arianna said. President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs are also likely to be a concern for retailers and shoppers, who some claim are already feeling the cost. Retailer workers at stores such as Target and Walmart shared on Reddit what they claim are price hikes believed to be caused by the tariffs shortly after Trump announced them. A Target worker uploaded a photo of the store replacing the $9.99 tag on a six-foot phone charging cable with a new tag for $17.99 -- an 80 percent increase. Target's internal and external issues come as it looks for a new CEO to take over for Cornell, who is 66 years old. Target Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke, 49, is on the list of candidates to potentially lead the company, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. But 96 percent of investors said they preferred an external candidate for Target's new CEO, according to a June survey investment bank Mizuho Securities sent to medium and large investors, per the Journal. From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate - The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here. read more

Dear Target, We first met when I was three or four, when you were no more than a big-box discount retailer - a K-mart with a commie color scheme. I'd run in and out of your racks of discount clothing while my mother perused your aisles - things were good. I need to be honest with myself and acknowledge that our relationship turned cold when I first became my own shopper. I was just trying to be cool and didn't want to be seen with you. My friends thought you were dirty and old and I broke our unspoken pact of "cheap trends before adolescent friends." For that, I'm sorry. Little did I know that you would blossom into who you are today. I've seen the error of my ways and have returned to you, Target. In your new found identity, you've furnished a great deal of my home, pervaded my wardrobe, and have even provided endless gifts for others as well as myself. I even bought an electronic soft dart board for $10 so that I can play darts in an inebriated state without worrying about my safety. That's the kind of thing you do for me, and I'm so, so grateful. To boot, you offer me your products at respectable, affordable prices. Your service people run somewhere between helpful and crazy,always approaching either (or both) of the extremes but never quite reaching them. But, they do so in that ever-comforting khaki and red. I'm going to write it here because I know of no other way to express it (you were out of customer comment cards). I love you, Target. I truly do love you. read more

I am so disappointed by my experience here. I had newborn pictures taken of my son, and they were awful. Most of them are of him flailing and crying. You can't even see his face in a lot of them. They had no ideas/input on posing, and they didn't get any pictures of my two children together. As for "editing" they do it in front of you, in store, with cheesy pre-set effects. When I came to pick up my cd/prints, all the attendant did was point to a pile of envelopes for me to dig through and find mine. I can't even look at the pictures without nearly crying over the fact that I got robbed of precious pictures of my baby that I can NEVER recreate. $250 for 10 minutes of shooting time and poor quality photos is absurd. My husband reached out to try to get our money back but never got any reply. I regret every bit of our experience. Since we spent money here, we couldn't afford to get decent pictures taken somewhere else. If the studio can't accommodate infants, don't offer the service. read more

Late post.. note to anyone that shops at the Glendale target, don't...just don't.. my husband and I went to return some wrapping paper to that store and had to use our debit card to look up the receipt for the purchase, as their policy states can be done.. the manager Hank was rude, short, snappy and condescending through the whole transaction..and when we asked if the refund could just go on a gift card instead of my debit card, he continued to be rude and refused our request without a reason other than he didn't want to...and after we questioned the decision he told us we were verbally trespassing and that we were not allowed to come back to store and if we did he would call the police... ALL OF THIS MESS FOR $6.46... 6 DAMN DOLLARS ARE YOU SERIOUS??? YOU MAD BECAUSE WE AS THE CUSTOMERS KNOW YOUR POLICY BETTER THAN YOU?? OR YOU MAD BECAUSE THESE BLACK FACES KNOW BETTER THAN YOU?? MY MONEY SPENDS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSES BUT THAT STORE WON'T BE GETTING ANYMORE OF IT!!!! read more

This Target is absolutely AMAZING. My husband and I went there this weekend to pick up a few items for the house. We were shocked at the size of this Target. HUGE does not even begin to describe it. The inside was clean, the staff was friendly, and there customer service was great. The food selection was great and there were several employees out sampling everything from pizza, soup, vitamins, gum, and so much more. The best part of this target is their extensive liquor, beer, and wine selection. Yes I said it liquor and wine in a Target in the state of Colorado. Moving here from Arizona we were plagued by the inconvenience of stopping at several locations to complete what would have been an ordinary grocery store trip in Arizona, but not anymore thanks to this Super Target. We will absolutely be back to this location, and I could not have been happier with my experience!!!! read more

PHENOMENAL experience at this Target. Very long story short: went to Toys R Us to spend $1,000 on toys for a charity drive we are having at Mercedes-Benz of Denver and they very non politely told us to pound sand after an hour of the worst customer service I have ever experienced regarding using a company check (that I called first to verify we could do). Then; Came to this target, they were so helpful and polite and caring for our cause it was a 360* from what we had just experienced. They had a checkstand ready for just us once we were done shopping, and all around made it the best shopping experience I have ever had. You have earned a customer for life. Thank you Target in Glendale for being an upstanding business that follows through on what you say and genuinely caring about the experience to your customers. read more

If you'd like to be insulted, called a liar, and treated poorly, speak with Alex in the pharmacy. I had the displeasure of speaking with him a few minutes ago. I was unable to get my prescription, which is dangerous because it has been depleted. He refused to let me speak with the pharmacist. He stated that if I would like to I'm welcome to hold for the next thirty minutes, among other rude and distasteful comments. I have never had such an experience at this location. It is a poor representation of the pharmacist and the store overall. If you are short on medication, please use another pharmacy because you're unlikely to receive proper assistance here. read more

I used to like this store, but that was then. I am tired of their "the customer is our enemy" attitude. I went to the store today for the last time. 1. Deceptive pricing. I was always running into items that had the wrong price or NO price posted. 2. Not enough cashiers. Only 2 cash registers open this morning (one was 10 items of less), but plenty of employees hanging out in the front area of the store. 3. Comment cards. They used to have postage-paid comment cards. The cards they have now don't even have an address! Shows you just how much they want your input! :) I don't know if other Targets are this bad, but this store SUCKS! read more

My neighborhood target so I visit often. Usually has a great selection of clothing and I always end up finding something I love. I have had an issue with some of the jewelry however. For the most part I try and not buy my groceries there though, not always the freshest selection. Still my go to for any brand name items I may need! For some reason I always seem to get really strange cashiers as well so stick to self check out! The Starbucks in this location is unbearably slow, there's usually a line and it takes them a long time because it seems there's only one person working it a lot of the time. read more

Watch out for deceptive pricing here! The price on the shelf says one thing, but the register scans higher. I tried to use a valid gift card today but they wouldn't accept it. They were (as usual) out of stock on a cereal item that was on sale. There were raincheck slips next to them. I took them to the cashier but some idiot there said that the rainchecks were a mistake, because the item was not on sale. It was a "temporary price reduction!" I thought that was what a sale is! How sleazy. Oh, and the shelves are poorly stocked. This store has gone way downhill... read more

If I was to speak in a paragraph sentence I would tell you that this story is complaining or complicated because you're supposed to have fun and there's nothing but space and opportunity most of us as store buyers and consumers in this day and age have a billion dollar mind when it's 16 million dollar business ideally enough shaking hands is a good thing to do but really see but human reaction. read more

They sell junk, and their service is bad. I will be going to Wallmart. I needed a some new steel toe work boots, and their shoe department is not any good. I use to be able to buy my work boots from them, but they no longer carry them. I was able to chase down a sells associate, and she was stupid! I use to work in retail, and I can tell you that their service is bad. read more

Watch the prices here! They frequently scan higher at the register. Anyway, yesterday the cashier forgot to put four small items in the bag, and I found out when I got home. I went back today (Monday) at midday. Not enough cashiers and LONG lines. Meanwhile there are plenty of employees walking around the front of the store. I'm losing my love for Target. read more

Careful here! They will steal you blind if they can. Deceptive pricing is the rule at that Target. The shelf tag says one price, but the item scans higher. It happens a lot at that store to me and my friends. If it happens to you, complain to the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General's office. read more

Since theres no Ikea in Colorado Target is the next best thing. The only place I get my cheap but expensive looking and well designed housewares. I love the funky magnents and the colorful picture frames. Who needs Pottery Barn when theres super target??? read more

This store sucks for groceries. Rude checker clerks, their products are all J&J mass market crap, and with so many better stores nearby, I can see why I rarely come here. King Soopers, Sprouts, Vitamin Cottage, even Albertsons are all much better options! read more

I have only been here once since the boycott started, and felt bad about going. Anyway, the store looked kind of dirty and was out of several things that I needed. In addition, they were out of shopping baskets, if you can believe that! read more

Target is filled with expired products & poor customer service. Employees do nothing & simply busy gossiping. YES, they do racial profiling. WE WILL NEVER shop at ANY Target stores again. read more

Why did they have to rearrange the store? Everything was fine where it was! If you get overcharged at the register, complain here: (303) 477-4220 read more