It’s a Friday night, and sophomore Jane Shearer and her friends are searching for something to do. Go spend some money, maybe get a drink, or go for a drive. But where should they go first?
A certain spot pops into their mind immediately. A short drive, and suddenly a large building with white and red circles appears in front of them. Shearer and her friends laugh as it’s not a surprise they found themselves here.
The idea of ‘Target’ being crazily popular nationwide is nothing new. But Target has shifted to more than just a shopping place; it’s a social spot for people to kill time with their friends.
“It depends on what I’m getting, like clothes, home decor, electronics, face masks, etc. But I just love being there, it’s one of my favorite stores to go to,” senior Lindsay Moore said.
Target is no small, local company. There are currently 1,978 stores located across all 50 states in America.
In a week, Target attracts over 30 million customers, generating around $300 million in revenue each day.
Many of these customers are teenagers in search of something to do. But what makes this store so appealing?
Target has quite literally everything, from supplies to clothes to food and so much more. If you need of anything, you can find it at Target.
“They have clothing, snacks, makeup, bathing suits, stuffed animals, everything you can imagine,” student Ava Jamison said.
The store also contains a built-in Starbucks Coffee, which tends to bring in an entirely new crowd in search for a sweet treat or drink.
According to Dallastown students, the most popular area of the store is the beauty section.
Their beauty section holds all types of self-care items, and recently, some Target stores have been constructing an Ulta section in their stores. This takes makeup shopping to a whole new, exciting level.
Target has also become a popular social media trend. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram display new items and trends that reach stores.
Items like Alani Nutrition the energy drinks, have become huge online, and Target, being a carrier of the drink, intrigues many shoppers.
Several students even claim that their favorite part of the store is specifically “the Alani section.”
Target has its downsides, and it isn’t considered on the cheap side of stores in the public eye. A survey conducted among students results that over 50% of shoppers find themselves spending “a lot” of money when they go.
It isn’t just about the shopping aspect; it’s a social spot, which is where the concept of the store switches.
In York County, Target is seen as a big store full of entertainment. It’s popular to go and wander through the aisles with no intention to make purchases.
“There isn’t much else to do in Dallastown, especially during the winter, so walking around has always been something to do with friends,” junior Emma Fletcher said.
Also on the high end of the store’s characteristics is their friendliness and client service.
“My mom used to be a target manager, and they train their employees very well and have really good customer service,” student Zoreen Areez said.
A store that has everything is quite ideal, which is why this craze isn’t strictly in the York area. With thousands of stores built nationwide and even in other countries, Target’s popularity stretches from state to state.
California, entirely across the country from Pennsylvania, is where Target is the most popular with over 300 stores. It’s clear this trend is not limited to one zone.
Whether visiting weekly or once in a blue moon, don’t underestimate this store’s commercialism and camaraderie.
Go on, grab your friends, Target awaits. Expect more, Pay less.
