Target?

Locked

I’m a little slow sometimes and just cought this from MSNBC, no I did’t make it up, and it’s not dated 1 Apr.
“You Might Want to Do Your Shoplifting Elsewhere: Increasingly, police departments and government offices (customs agencies, NASA, even the FBI) rely on state-of-the-art investigation support from the Target Corp. (as in Target department stores), according to a January Washington Post report. Target’s world-class forensics lab in Minneapolis is the first choice by many departments for examination of surveillance tapes and other evidence, and it was Target in the mid-1990s that finally moved agencies to coordinate previously incompatible databases of criminals (treating the felon population as a nationwide “inventory control” problem). A Target executive said he works for “a high-tech company masquerading as a retailer.” [Washington Post, 1-29-06]
While I think it a good Tech story, it still kind of makes me wonder (more than just a little) and might explain a few things lately. (all the gov. credit card bills to Target, I thought they were buying hammers) It could be, also kind of scary. No?

Topic

They got away with Daylight Saving Time

In reply to Target?

Yes, it’s scary. But we’re the ones who let the IT genie out of the bottle, so we’re not the ones who get to complain about it.

People have been predicting for decades that computer technology was going to make slaves of us, so we have no excuse for being surprised by things like this.

Just look at how a primitive, fragile little artifact of 14th century technology rules the entire population. Suppose the government issued an edict demanding that everyone start getting out of bed an hour earlier each day. The people would rise up as one and drag the despots out of office. So instead they call it “Daylight Saving Time.” Each morning a stupid, lying CLOCK tells us to get up an hour earlier…AND WE DO IT!

(Credit to Isaac Asimov for the original rant.)

Highly understandable considering their client base

In reply to Target?

Target aim to serve the lower end of the social economic retail market and thus have more stores in or near the poorer sections of most communities – I am not sure but I also think that they have more stores than most other retailers. They are a more likely target (pun intended) for shoplifting from those that cannot afford to pay for the goods. Thus they would have the best video surveillance systems that they can get and the best people and methods to get the most out of those tapes.

So simply due to their demographic situation they should be the best experts or using the best – thus others would be going to those experts when they need them.

Actually, I disagree on one point

In reply to Highly understandable considering their client base

Ok, I actually disagee with your whole statement.

Target actually aims to server the “Middle-Class” section of the socio-economic market here in the USA. Target has always been considered a step above Wal-Mart and K-Mart.

Their stores are found in or close to large shopping malls or high-density marketing areas. They have had higher-end (compared to the *-Marts) products, and have decidedly gone for the Middle-class market that wants nicer items for reasonable prices.

At least, that’s how it is in the USA.

Sorry – I spoke from my Australian experience

In reply to Actually, I disagree on one point

Here the to low end stores are Target and K-mart they both go for the same economic demographic client base – they are the lowest end department store. The only thing cheaper as a chain are the Clints and other ‘$2 Shop’ type stores that sell bulk crap extra cheap when they buy them by the boat load, not true department stores or supermarkets like Target and K-mart.

Target or Wal-Mart?

In reply to Highly understandable considering their client base

Ernest, I don’t think it’s “completely understandable.” Target is a respectable retailer of all sorts of affordable goods.

As for Target’s “aim to serve the lower end of the social economic market and…more stores in or near the poorer sections of most communities” (which I have not seen – do they have Target in poorer areas in Australia?), I’m puzzled as to why this high-tech surveillance system wasn’t pioneered by Wal-Mart, which is known for its presence in small-town, often lower-class areas. Perhaps it’s because their government clients would figure out that they’re providing just-this-side-of-legal bare minimums for their employees, or the simple fact that a significant number of Target shoppers (paying or not) would not be caught dead in a Wal-Mart.

Whaddya know…Two Kentucky guys agree

In reply to Target or Wal-Mart?

Even if one of them is L’ville.

What is a wal-mart, is that where you buy walls?

In reply to Target or Wal-Mart?

Sorry, I was speaking from my Australian experience where Target is the low end of the department store / supermarket line up. We don’t have Wal-mart, we do have K-mart which is aimed at the same economic demographic as Target.

Fair enough –

In reply to What is a wal-mart, is that where you buy walls?

Then what you commented about is a fair statement about the stores in Australia.

How long have you had Targets/K-Marts? Could it be that all the “good” land is already built upon, and these companies build where they can?

And if you are really unfamiliar with Wal-Marts… Just imagine a store that attempts to sell EVERYTHING (and I do mean everything) at the loswet price possible.

About 30 years for Target and K-mart

In reply to Fair enough –

and they try to out do each other on the concept of having everything at the lowest prices. You wont find either in the central business districts of the major cities, or the posh suburbs; but almost everywhere else. Most of their stores are in shopping centres (think small mall for you guys) that have either been built or renovated in the last 30 years. Nearly all the suburban and country department stores are in shopping centres, but not all.

Land is something we have a lot of, almost as much as continental USA but only around 20 million people spread over it.

Both K-mart and Target are part of corporate empires that include upmarket department stores and when a new area is developed the corporation puts a store in Myers or Grace Bros etc if it is a high income area and Target or K-mart for lower income areas. If the area charges dramatically in its economic demographic the store is likely to undergo a refurbishment and change companies and prices as well as quality of merchandise.

you forgot..

In reply to Fair enough –

the part about wal mart trying to drive their suppliers into bankruptcy with their purchasing practices.
wal mart is directly responsible for 45% of the manufacturing outsourcing done by their suppliers, they pay so little the only way the supplier has any hope to break even is to open a plant where labour is cheaper than life.

Wal-Mart Uber Alles

In reply to Target or Wal-Mart?

Wal-Mart just wants to eliminate the American middle class, leaving only a very few very wealthy and everyone else a scraping, destitute under-class living in cardboard boxes down by the river.

Sam Walton is spinning in his grave.

of course from Walz-Mart

In reply to Wal-Mart Uber Alles

They will of course get those boxes from their nearest Wall-Mart. Naturally made in China.

Walmart

In reply to Target or Wal-Mart?

Walmart has one of the best data bases of almost anyone.

Target French Owned

In reply to Target or Wal-Mart?

I heard that Target is French owned business. Anyway, target is overpriced for the quality of products they sale. In my state Target is located near low income neighborhoods.

Nope – Not French Owned

In reply to Target French Owned

Target’s headquarters is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. It was an offspring of the former Dayton-Hudson Corporation (also traded on the NYSE), which owned a number of store chains.

Target

In reply to Nope – Not French Owned

Also happens to have some yummy Vanilla Rice Pudding!

Not as good as Ambrosia creamed rice, but good non the less. 😀

Target target

In reply to Target?

They have the best video in their labs and the
stores. Paying employees minimum wage, they
watch the employees as much as the “GUEST”.
Unwritten policies and procedures handicap
true customer support. It’s getting better.
RFID is also a very big part of the in store
protection and video provides the proof.

Maybe…

In reply to Target target

maybe that’s why they’re not in Germany. I don’t think anyone in Europe would shop in store that was even rumured to be working with the FBI, or anybody like that. The other point is plain emploie oppression.!. (& actually hinders any organization) And RFID is the answer to many Supply problems, but there needs to a lot bugs and issues worked out before it moves out the front door (in consumer goods at final POS)

Better video

In reply to Target target

I wish more places, like banks and such, would install much better video systems. Most are still using terrible grainy black and white, and it is almost useless for identifying robbers. Invest a bit in excellent surveillance equipment, and it will enable a much better piece of evidence to post on the evening news.

I’m sure they do

In reply to Target target

regardless of wage levels, employees steal 40% of total mdse stolen

Target == France?

In reply to I’m sure they do

Isn’t Target owned by the big bad French? Why would they cooperate with the FBI if this administration wants us to eschew all things French including calling fried potatoes that are cut into long thin strips ‘Freedom Fries’ instead of ‘French Fries’ [which they are not]?

Just kidding…

According to the urban legend that says that they only support G-L-B-T fundraisings and no VFW support and on and on…

But this is only an urban legend mind you…

French Fries ?????

In reply to Target == France?

That’s the first time I heard that, I wonder if anyone in France knows that? (maybe I should go next door & tell them, I could get some french fries too)
And G-L-B-T??? is some new disease somewhere? like the chicken flu?
As for foreign ownership, the Chineese now own America anyway. so it really don’t matter.

GLBT

In reply to French Fries ?????

Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender aka the 10% of people in the planet.

the top 10% ?

In reply to GLBT

🙂

well

In reply to the top 10% ?

if you ask someone who is part of that community, they would naturally say yes.

if you ask someone in marketing they would also say yes.
[ more disposable income when no family expenses ]

if you ask your typical red-necked homo-phobe, they would say no.

Especially if you want a job …

In reply to the top 10% ?

… in theatre or the fine arts.

Dayton-Hudson

In reply to Target == France?

Target is the old Dayton-Hudson corporation. It changed its name a while back when the directors realized that the bottom-end chain they founded to complement Marshall-Fields and the other old guard stores had eclipsed the rest of the company and had become their most recognized logo.

You’re just confused because we all picked up on that comedienne’s line and pronounce it tar-ZHAY. ^_^

BTW, I don’t know how they treat their line staff but I did a gig there a few years ago and their IT department is about the most content bunch of people I ever met.

It’s a shame that few stores treat their front-line employees very well. It sure shows. But I wouldn’t put too much into the surveillance thing, because after all, as someone pointed out, employee theft is a major cost of business and they just have to address it the way they would any other problem.

America has evolved into a nation of cheaters so we have to live with what that means. I just don’t know how that happened. It couldn’t have anything to do with the income tax code, the war on drugs, the old 55mph speed limit, the Byzantine welfare regulations, etc., could it? Our government wouldn’t actually train people to discover that beating the system any way you can is the right way to get ahead, would it?

French Fries…

In reply to Dayton-Hudson

As far as the Urban legend about Target being a french owned company…

Are you telling me that you never ever received a forward giving some sob story about Target not giving donations to VFWs, or American Legions and to boycott them because they are not patriotic, French, Blah Blah blah… If not, just google “target urban legend” or just go to http://www.snopes.com

I did not bring this up because of a comedy routine that I have never heard…

I brought it up because I thought it was funny that the FBI would corroborate with a company that right wing nutjobs are constantly trying to get people to boycott because of e-mail forwards…

Beware of eRumors

In reply to Target == France?

I’m always leary of email rumors especially if they involve a company. It’s so easy for a rival company e.g Wal-mart or Sears to start a false rumor to steal business…and I would put it past them…and these rumors spread like wildfire. Back in the 70s Johnny Carson made a joke about a toilet paper shortage and, Guess what, two days later there was one!

Is that all?

In reply to I’m sure they do

Forty percent? I’ve heard figures as high as 70% in the retail industry – not that 70% of the employees steal (I certainly hope not), but that 70% of stealing is done by employees. So the next time you walk into a store carrying a large purse or bag from another store and get a once-over from a worker, you might want to throw out this statistic and say that you’re not the likely suspect!

on second thought…

In reply to Target?

maybe Target Should look at the USs Dept. of Home Land Security, it looks like they need some help in IT security. (and anti-stupidity too)

Urban Legends

In reply to Target?

glancing through the subject lines of the various posts and thought I’d provide the following link:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/target.asp

Video can be used for good, too.

In reply to Target?

About 5 years ago, I left a $22.00 can of baby formula at the Target check stand. I went back with my receipt the next day to pick it up. The security guy took my receipt and went in back to check the video taken around that time. He said it also showed the cashier calling after me, but I didn’t hear her. It was against policy for her to follow me out to the parking lot.

I talked to one Target cashier near Marina del Rey, (California – very rich area) and she had just transferred from the midwest. Back in her home town, the Target was the main department store around and lots of people wanted to work there. She didn’t realize that Target was regarded as lower-end out here, but at least she was close to the beach and kept her seniority.

I shop Target all the time in Pasadena or Eagle Rock. I did notice that when Fedco closed up, ALL the prices went up by at least 20 cents that same week. Fedco had terrible customer service, but really good prices.

Bush Official Caught at Target too!

In reply to Video can be used for good, too.

I bet that’s how they caught Bush’s domestic policy adviser – Claude Allen for shoplifting + Fraud. He was returning duplicate items that had not been taken out of the store for cash refunds.

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