Target 2021

[TW-Upstate NY]

First time I set foot in the local Target in about three months (not a full blown shopping trip but just to buy one large item-probably wasn't in the building 5-7 minutes) and saw something very interesting at the checkouts and was wondering if anyone else has seen this as well. The cashiers now have chairs similar to an Aldi-type set up. They resembled tall bar stools with a back rest. I'd never seen that there before. Is that a trend or just a one-off to a particular store or area? Also saw something interesting with the self checkout. As I'm walking up to the front, I noticed a line forming and I'm not exactly thrilled about having to stand anywhere in one spot for very long these days. I then got closer and realized the back up was at the self checkout and at the few open registers the cashiers were just standing (or now sitting) there with nothing to do. I went to one of those registers (no line) and probably was exiting the store with my purchase all bought and paid for within maybe a minute. The point being is why use the self checkout (with all the hassles associated with it) when you could've gotten a better experience at a register-at the very least, your purchases would've been bagged for you.

[babs]

First time I set foot in the local Target in about three months (not a full blown shopping trip but just to buy one large item-probably wasn't in the building 5-7 minutes) and saw something very interesting at the checkouts and was wondering if anyone else has seen this as well. The cashiers now have chairs similar to an Aldi-type set up. They resembled tall bar stools with a back rest. I'd never seen that there before. Is that a trend or just a one-off to a particular store or area? Also saw something interesting with the self checkout. As I'm walking up to the front, I noticed a line forming and I'm not exactly thrilled about having to stand anywhere in one spot for very long these days. I then got closer and realized the back up was at the self checkout and at the few open registers the cashiers were just standing (or now sitting) there with nothing to do. I went to one of those registers (no line) and probably was exiting the store with my purchase all bought and paid for within maybe a minute. The point being is why use the self checkout (with all the hassles associated with it) when you could've gotten a better experience at a register-at the very least, your purchases would've been bagged for you.

I haven't seen Target checkers sitting. I have seen the longer lines at self checkout than at the regular checkstands. Personally, I prefer self checkout. After having too many odd conversations with cashiers or just weird comments about what I am buying, I personally prefer to not have any human interaction checking out.

[Romr123]

I live fairly close to a pretty excellent Target in a solidly middle-class area in first-ring Detroit...their food offerings are amazingly good--I always compliment the food staff there because they do a great job. Other stores in the area should take lessons. Just had a delivery order sent with some shelf-stable items--one of which (grated parm cheese) was very short dated--I Karened, complained and they took it off the bill.

[storewanderer]

I live fairly close to a pretty excellent Target in a solidly middle-class area in first-ring Detroit...their food offerings are amazingly good--I always compliment the food staff there because they do a great job. Other stores in the area should take lessons. Just had a delivery order sent with some shelf-stable items--one of which (grated parm cheese) was very short dated--I Karened, complained and they took it off the bill.

I have noticed at the Sparks Target the food looks pretty good. However the Sparks Target is surrounded by apartments and the nearest grocery stores or grocery alternatives are all a mile or two away (take your pick- Safeway, Food Maxx, Smiths, 99 Cents Only, Grocery Outlet). Produce looks fresh and rotated and there is a good assortment of meat and bakery items to select from. At the Reno Target, which also has a lot of apartments nearby (not quite surrounded) but also more grocery competition within less than a mile (Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Wal Mart, and a Save Mart; Safeway failed twice in this radius first with a Pak N Save for about 2 years in the late 80's then again with a 1996 Safeway that lasted about 10 years); the entire area looks picked over. It is never fully stocked and what is there is often expiring that day or should be pulled (old produce). Both stores seem pretty busy overall. Then there is the Carson City Target which was just remodeled according to a banner out front (it was actually remodeled in 2019), they did not even add fresh food into the remodel there, despite that the nearest grocery options are a couple miles away (Wal Mart and Trader Joes) and you are like 5 miles from a conventional (a very sad Save Mart and an okay Raleys).

[bayford]

I live fairly close to a pretty excellent Target in a solidly middle-class area in first-ring Detroit...their food offerings are amazingly good--I always compliment the food staff there because they do a great job. Other stores in the area should take lessons. Just had a delivery order sent with some shelf-stable items--one of which (grated parm cheese) was very short dated--I Karened, complained and they took it off the bill.

I really like what Target is doing with their Good & Gather brand. The quality vs. price is generally excellent as far as private labels go.

As to chairs at the register, I haven't seen that at any local Targets in the past year, but it's not a bad idea. I've long thought the German custom of having the cashier sitting down at the checkout should be more widespread than it is.