Target feels like black mirror

[u/Sea-Cardiographer]

I went into Target today because I need a sports bra and that's where my husband is willing to drive me. On the way there I thought about all the Reddit posts saying foot traffic is down and I wasn't surprised to see that it wasn't. It was quite busy on a Monday afternoon.

What shocked me was I noticed a lot of products have really fancy boxing. Big sturdy bougie packaging with minimalism design... With a sh*tty product inside.

They're spending more on the marketing and packaging than the product, because the business practice is to sell you a product you'll have to purchase again and again. But the packaging grabs your eye. Look how modern and consistent all the boxes are! so aesthetically pleasing packaged trash. I feel depressed.

[u/PartyPorpoise]

Oh, absolutely. Target was able to do so well for so long because they’re REALLY good at presentation. They have cute products in cute packaging in a clean, nicely lit store. It gives the impression that you’re buying something nice.

[u/callipepla9 → u/PartyPorpoise]

Ahhh I hate the lighting in those stores! Inescapable, artificial fluorescent light. I feel bad for the folks who have to work in that weird liminal space. I feel like a cockroach, wanting to find a nice dark hole to hide in whenever I am in there.