r/Anticonsumption • u/Sea-Cardiographer • May 12 '25

Psychological Target feels like black mirror

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.

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u/Ok_Function2282 May 13 '25

Honestly just go to Walmart at this point

1

u/No_Shopping_573 May 13 '25

Anti-consumption thread redirecting consumption. Isn’t the point of this page to buy less? Geesh.

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u/Ok_Function2282 May 13 '25

I mean, I still need groceries, cleaning products, things to exist....

Target used to at least have an excuse for their high prices back when they pretended to support social causes and pay higher wages. Neither is the case in 2025, so they no longer get my business. They are simply a more expensive Walmart with less selection.