Target’s Black Friday Giveaway Sparks Outrage on Social Media
UPDATE: Target’s Black Friday giveaway has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, with many shoppers expressing disappointment over the contents of the promotional gift bags. Early risers began lining up outside Target stores, including locations in Westbury, New York, as early as 3 a.m. for the chance to receive a complimentary gift bag when doors opened at 6 a.m.
However, the excitement quickly turned to frustration as many felt the bag’s offerings were subpar, featuring items such as fun-size candy, drink mix samples, and shampoo. One TikTok user lamented, “Y’all gonna have them wait outside in the freezing cold just for y’all to give them gummy clusters? That’s diabolical, man.”
Despite the backlash, Target reported that all gift bags were claimed by opening time, with some locations seeing lines of over 500 shoppers. According to a company statement, select customers were rewarded with special bags containing additional prizes valued between $99 and $350, including Target gift cards, a Laifen hairdryer, a Ninja slushie machine, or Beats headphones.
The criticism contrasts sharply with the positive buzz surrounding competitor Lowe’s, which handed out five-gallon buckets filled with valuable building supplies to early-bird customers. Shoppers praised Lowe’s for its thoughtful giveaways, which included drill bit sets and even coupons for free appliances worth up to $2,000. One TikTok user remarked, “This makes Target’s bag look like party favors from a kids birthday.”
Target’s new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, has emphasized improving the shopping experience as a priority for the company, especially as it aims to boost sales and profitability. In addition to promotional events, Target has recently hosted special releases, including pop icon Taylor Swift’s latest album, and introduced a festive holiday setup described as a “whimsical Alpine world.”
Despite Target’s efforts, social media reactions suggest the retailer has a long way to go in winning back customer loyalty. Many users are echoing sentiments that “Black Friday is cooked,” anticipating a lackluster shopping season ahead.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Target will respond to the backlash and whether it can improve its promotional strategies. Shoppers are advised to keep an eye on both retailers as Black Friday continues and more deals emerge in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story and how retailers adapt to consumer expectations during this critical shopping period.
