Target Faces Customer Revolt Over New Shopping Carts Deemed 'Garbage'

Target is facing significant backlash from customers and employees regarding its new fleet of all-plastic shopping carts, which were intended to improve the shopping experience as part of a broader strategy to win back frustrated patrons. Despite being designed for easier steering and featuring improved drink holders and safer child seats, users have widely criticized the new carts as defective and difficult to use. Customers report that the carts are falling apart immediately, with integral pieces breaking off, and that the child seats are too small for average toddlers. Employees have also voiced strong complaints, noting that the carts are incompatible with automated cart-pushers because the rear wheels lift off the ground when nested, causing them to slide uncontrollably rather than steer. This controversy arises amidst existing tension between Target and some conservative shoppers following the retailer's rollback of certain DEI policies and introduction of Pride-themed apparel, which previously triggered boycotts and sales declines. The negative reception to the hardware upgrade has further fueled online criticism, with some users linking their dissatisfaction with the carts to broader ideological grievances against the company.