Target shoppers tell us about their liquidation “deals” and why they think the American big box flopped
Target shoppers tell us about their liquidation “deals” and why they think the American big box flopped
By Jean Grant |
By Jean Grant |

When the news hit that Target would be closing up shop north of the border, there was one teeny tiny silver lining: liquidation sales. Discounts started yesterday, and customers flooded Targets around the city to maybe, finally, score some deals. We caught up with shoppers sifting through leftover product and braving hour-long checkout lines at the Stockyards location to see what they’re so keen to buy, and why they think the American retailer couldn’t cut it in Canada. Here, twelve Target shoppers share their thoughts.
- 306576
- <strong>Name:</strong> Darren Murray<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 34<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Restaurant Manager<br /> <br /> “I was dragged here. When I saw the 30 per cent off signs I was like, "What?" That's not even a good deal. We looked at a bread-making machine but it was only 10 per cent off. Target failed because Canadians aren't like Americans. The products here are cheap and they look tacky.”
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-13-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-13.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-13.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-13/
- target-streeters-13
- 0
- 0
- 306565
- <strong>Name:</strong> Shaeane Jimenez<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 19<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Student<br /> <br /> “I came here to buy food but now everything's on sale, so I'm getting whatever's cheap! Personally, I don't think it worked out because we already have stores like Target, and Zellers is less expensive.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-02-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-02.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-02.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-02/
- target-streeters-02
- 0
- 0
- 306564
- <strong>Name:</strong> Paul Fugere<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 26<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Consultant<br /> <br /> “I'm picking up some Lego that my girlfriend and I both enjoy. We usually go to the Lego Store because they have a customer loyalty program, but thought we'd check out the deals here.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-01-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-01.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-01.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-01/
- target-streeters-01
- 0
- 0
- 306566
- <strong>Name:</strong> Katie MacEachern<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 19<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Student<br /> <br /> “I wanted to get some clothes and makeup, especially the brand Elf, which is pretty much only carried in Target. I typically go to Walmart because it's cheaper and has better food. Plus, all the Toronto Targets are so out of the way.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-03-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-03.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-03.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-03/
- target-streeters-03
- 0
- 0
- 306571
- <strong>Name:</strong> Nikki Purcell<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 28<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Executive Assistant<br /> <br /> “We're actually just getting the stuff we'd typically buy—the deals aren't great. But I like Target better than Walmart, so I'm sad it's closing.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-08-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-08.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-08.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-08/
- target-streeters-08
- 0
- 0
- 306573
- <strong>Name:</strong> James Dempsey<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 23<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Marketing Coordinator<br /> <br /> “My girlfriend and I are moving in together, so we thought the liquidation deals would be a good chance to stock up on some pricey appliances, like this Ninja blender and knife set.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-10-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-10.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-10.jpg
- 800
- 1200
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-10/
- target-streeters-10
- 0
- 0
- 306567
- <strong>Name:</strong> Sara Bartoloneo<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 24<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Policy Advisor<br /> <br /> “I was hoping to get some appliances, but the sales aren't really worth it yet.”<br />
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-04-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-04.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-04.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-04/
- target-streeters-04
- 0
- 0
- 306570
- <strong>Name:</strong> Gabby Rodarte<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 25<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Receptionist<br /> <br /> “It's closing because the shelves were always empty. You'd come here to get something you know Target stocks and it wouldn't be there. It was frustrating.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-07-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-07.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-07.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-07/
- target-streeters-07
- 0
- 0
- 306574
- <strong>Name:</strong> Johnathan De Rosa<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 20<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Unemployed<br /> <br /> “I live nearby so I just came in for some food and clothes—I had no idea about the deals, so now I'm taking advantage. I think the store failed because people already had their store habits and choices in place. They didn't need another option.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-11-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-11.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-11.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-11/
- target-streeters-11
- 0
- 0
- 306568
- <strong>Name:</strong> Susie Bartoloneo<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 58<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Accountant<br /> <br /> “I wanted to grab some PJs, but there's not much selection left. I think Target closed because people were expecting the same products and selection from the US, and that just didn't happen.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-05-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-05.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-05.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-05/
- target-streeters-05
- 0
- 0
- 306577
- <strong>Name:</strong> Kendell Eno<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 35<br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> ABA Therapist<br /> <br /> “So far, I've only purchased shower hooks, so I'm not going crazy. I live in the neighborhood, so I've enjoyed shopping at Target. It's not as sketchy as Walmart.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-14-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-14.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-14.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-14/
- target-streeters-14
- 0
- 0
- 306569
- <strong>Name:</strong> Catalina Duque<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 27<br /> <strong>Profession:<br /> </strong> Social Service Worker<br /> <br /> “We only came to look. We haven't found anything and the line's too big. It was never the same as the States.”
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-06-150x150.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-06.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/target-streeters-06.jpg
- 1200
- 800
- []
- https://torontolife.com/style/target-shoppers-tell-us-liquidation-deals-think-american-big-box-flopped/slide/target-streeters-06/
- target-streeters-06
- 0
- 0
Do only White people shop at Target? No wonder they failed… they didn’t target 50% of the population. Or do those pictures reflect Toronto Life’s bias?
Ever been to the thorncliffe location? No plain ole white folk there.
They reflect the population of the Junction.
An hour to pay? No thanks.
I’d say the number one reason that Target failed is that everybody was too exhausted to care. They’re exhausted from Walmarts bombardment, dollar stores popping up everywhere, the long drawn out Zeller’s clearance, the and the extremely long wait for Target stores to open. By the time people had set foot in Target stores they were already underwhelmed then they realized that there was nothing really great about it either.
You’re 100% right, Richard. Clearly the TL team is racist and biased towards who they feature.
Or maybe they merely stopped 10 – 12 ppl over the course of an hour who just happened to be white
Keep these moronic comments for facebook and off the hard work of these writers/photographers