Politcally Correct Shopping

Do a wikipedia on Target, soz.

Target Corporation faces criticism. Lots of negative publicity was generated from the company's decision to no longer allow the Salvation Army to collect donations at its stores (see Philanthropy section above).
Target allegedly engages in many practices that rival Wal-Mart faces criticism for engaging in; however, because of Target's smaller size in comparison to Wal-Mart, Target often escapes criticism. In addition, many people may overlook Target's practices because of its successful marketing to differentiate itself as being more upscale. Some questionable practices, like Wal-Mart, that Target allegedly engages in include: low hourly wages (lack of living wage), opposition to labor unions, and its contribution to urban sprawl.[17] Liza Featherstone, author of Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Workers' Rights at Wal-Mart, stated in an interview, "Aesthetically, we all like Target better, but their wages are in many places low or just as low, and they all represent the Wal-Martization of our economy, which is the exchange of low prices for poor work conditions." [18]

In 2002, the company came under criticism for carrying clothing with the number "88" embroidered on the clothing, which is known to be a white supremacist symbol. Target came under fire for not necessarily carrying the merchandise, but for their response. A customer informed the company of the offensive merchandise, but Target only responded with form letters and seemed to dismiss the customer's concerns. Only after the Southern Poverty Law Center and the media got involved, did Target pull the merchandise from its stores. [19]

A 26-year-old Missouri woman was refused emergency contraception when she handed her prescription to a pharmacist at a Target store in Fenton, MO, on September 30, 2005. The woman was told by the pharmacist, "I won't fill it. It's my right not to fill it." She was told that she could go to a local Walgreens instead. The woman said, "When the pharmacist told me she wouldn't [fill the prescription], I went from disbelief to shock to anger. I guess I'm still pretty angry. It seems unbelievable to me that a medical professional could/would deny access to a federally approved drug and impose their personal beliefs in a professional setting. I am also grateful that I did not need it filled at that time. I don't know how it would be if I had just been raped or if the condom broke and I was feeling confusion and panic anyway -- and then was denied access and told to go across the street."[20] Target allows employees to refuse to dispense medication based on religious beliefs; however, the employee must ensure that the prescription is filled by another pharmacist in a timely manner. Some defending Target would applaud the company for upholding the employee's freedom of conscience, while others feel this policy is a violation of customer rights.

Philanthropy

Target Corporation is consistently ranked as one of the most philanthropic companies in the country. According to a November 2005 Forbes article, it ranked as the highest cash giving company in America in percentage of income given (2.1%) [13]. Target donates around five percent of their pre-tax operating profit; it gives over $2 million a week in the communities it operates in. It also gives a percentage of charges from its Target Visa to schools designated by the cardholders. To date, Target has given over $150 million to schools across the United States through this program.

Target has a standard no-solicitation rule at its properties, as it wishes to provide a "distraction-free shopping experience for its guests". Exemptions to this policy were previously made for the Salvation Army to station its traditional red kettles and bell-ringers outside Target stores during the Christmas season. However, the company decided that it would no longer allow the Salvation Army to solicit on Target Stores' properties in 2004 because they believed it was a distraction to their guests and because an increasing number of other nonprofit groups also wanted to be granted exceptions to the "no solicitation" policy to support charity [14]. Many religious organizations objected to this decision, and called for boycotts of Target; however, this has failed as Target's financials over the last year have been setting company records and Target's same-store sales have been outperforming Wal-Mart. Additionally, when Target ousted the Salvation Army bell ringers, Target Corporation said that they planned on seeking an alternate method to donate to the organization. For example, Target donates annually to the United Way (the Salvation Army is a member of the United Way coalition).

On November 14, 2005, Target Corporation and the Salvation Army announced [15] a partnership called "The Target/Salvation Army Wish List," where online shoppers will be able to donate goods to the organization by buying them directly from Target.com [16] between November 25, 2005 and January 25, 2006. With this partnership, Target has guaranteed a minimum of $1 million of merchandise to the Salvation Army, making up the difference if the customers don't reach this goal, although the Salvation Army claimed that they typically raised $9 million with the red kettle program in front of Target stores. Annette Bauer, a spokeswoman for the Salvation Army's northern division, said "It is not going to make up the financial difference...but it is a great opportunity to partner with Target that might lead to other opportunities."

During disasters, Target Corporation is a major benefactor for relief efforts. Target provided monetary and product donations during the September 11th terrorist attacks on the U.S.; it also donated money for relief efforts for the tsunami in South Asia. Most recently, Target donated $1.5 million (U.S.) to the American Red Cross in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It also allowed its store properties in the affected area to be used as command centers for relief organizations. It also donated supplies such as water and bug spray. Besides these major disasters, Target also regularly lends its support to disasters that are not as well known or only affect a regional area.

Target Corporation was named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" in 2004 by Working Mothers magazine.

But isn't wikipedia evil too?

;-)

OK OK I'm going...