Like many others, I watched with interest as Target Canada began their first day of liquidation sales. The tweets and Facebook statuses began to flow followed by news coverage this evening that left me feeling uneasy.
Here are a couple of things to consider before heading in to the stores or waiting until everything is 95% off to buy.
The Liquidation Discounts
The first thing here to note is that Target is no longer in charge of the prices you see in the store. Our courts have appointed Alvarez & Marsal as the monitor. A monitor’s responsibilities include supervising the liquidation and wind-down process for Target Canada and they report back to the courts on the progress.
It is in their best interest to begin the liquidation slowly and start sales around the 10 – 30% off range. This is how all standard liquidations start. Remember Eaton’s, or Zellers? They cleared out the same way, we’ve just forgotten.
One big misconception now is that Target Canada is profiting from the liquidation. The reason for this liquidation is so that they can pay their creditors to the best of their ability.
Have you seen the creditor list? It is 44 pages long and includes local and international companies such as Baby Gourmet Foods Inc in Edmonton (owed $62,701), Old Dutch Foods in Winnipeg (owed $219,661), and Under the Roof Decorating Inc in Calgary (owed $225,553) to name a few. Check out the list, no province is left off the list, and trust me; this is not a list anyone wants to be on. They even owe Food Banks Canada ($276,920).
View the complete creditor list
Right now, these businesses are going to be making pennies on the dollars they are owed by Target Canada, if they are lucky. The higher the discounts, the less they will be offered in the end. These are Canadian businesses, employing our friends, family, children, and parents.
You may think that getting 95% off of that small appliance is a great deal, but is it still an awesome deal if it means that your wife / brother / child / etc gets laid off because their employer had to make some cuts later in the year to make up for lost revenue?
The Staff
17,600 Canadian employees are being laid off. These are our friends, family, kids, parents. These are people who have lost their jobs, and now need to go to work everyday, face their customers who all know they are the walking-unemployed, and work in a store that is being liquidated.
That has to be hard.
Top that off with stories I’ve been reading about staff abandoning ship and not showing up for work. The people you see in the store chose to go in. No one is forcing them. They have all made the choice to continue to provide customer service in the face of all of this.
I think that is amazing.
Please be considerate when you enter the stores. Your day is most likely not as bad as theirs right now.
Leave a comment below with your thoughts? I’d love to hear what you’ve been seeing/hearing.
Edited to add: Thank you to everyone visiting this post, I am trying to keep up with the comments. I always try to come from a place of kindness and understanding and I ask the same of you when leaving comments. This post is about our fellow Canadians and ALL of the creditors. Please be respectful when commenting as hurtful comments will not be posted and will be removed if found. You don’t have to agree with this post, I just ask that you read it, and offer an equally kind response.
Sheri publishes, and writes at This Bird’s Day where she shares all of the thoughts in her head without the voices. Sticking mainly with content for Canadians, Sheri shares family stories, product information and anything that fits into her (and her family’s) daily activities.
Comments on this entry are closed.
Great article, but please don’t kid yourselves. Target has been very mindful of this experiment into another region. It is say that our laws/courts have not made Target pay their creditors and employees. They have a pile of cash in the US, and should be made to pay for the social experiment.
I read another blog which posted 800,000 Canadian’s are regular cross-border Target shoppers. Please stop for all of the same reasons in the article above. Target US needs to be held accountable for the severance, and credit (including leases).
Thnx for the great article,very perceptive of you.As a current employee of Target we do take a lot of abuse from customers and to those who moan about it being cheaper to shop elsewhere…GO THERE & quit giving me & my fellow employees a hard time, we are under enough stress as it is…
Thank you for a thoughtful, care-full and well researched editorial.
I would just like to so a big thanks to this article, I am a target employee and hearing some one stand up for us is so refreshing. Don’t get me wrong I have had a lot of guest that are sympathetic and express that to us, some people even brought us Tim Hortons, one Family made a sign reading: “WE LOVE YOU TARGET” and so many more. There has also been a lot of negative shots. I was told by a guest that maybe if we lowered our prices people would not be so rude to us, I have heard on three occasions people saying that they are happy we are all loosing our jobs! Shame on those people! it is not our fault that the store we love to work in is closing. Target was the best employer I have ever had, they treated us so fair, you could basically make your own schedule and the people are amazing! I am so sad to be leaving Target, this was the only job I ever had where I went home smiling every single day!
So thank you to the people who are understanding, and to the rest of you please try and be civil.
I am devastated that target is leaving Canada. I shopped in the St. Catharine’s store and would always find the store stocked well. Target employees were always asking if I needed help finding a product. For me Target was the place to go to buy seasonal items, kids toys (they had the best frozen selection of toys and clothes), organic toiletries and cute kids bedding, towels and kitchen items. Walmart store close to us is disgustingly dirty, carries cheap crap that goes into the trash and the employees are too busy to help you nor do they care. It is really sad as there are lots of people who are not Walmart fans. I am very sad to see target closing everywhere. They should have only opened a few stores that way they would not be going out of business. Please remember to treat the employees with respect and empathy. Hang in there target employees.
Great article, and I feel for the many thousands who are losing their job, but an important point was missed in this article. I understand that the liquidation discounts have to start low, however even at 30% off I found that many items were STILL 10-20% more than the exact item at regular price 2 blocks away at Walmart, which was the reason I did not shop at Target in the first place. Also, Target came in with the promise of unique product offerings in Canada which are available in the U.S., however none of the items I always stock up on in the U.S. were offered at Target in Canada. As I mentioned, I feel bad for the staff but Target was a huge disappointment from the day it opened and I am not at all surprised to see that they did not make it in Canada.
As a current target employee myself, i greatly appreciate this article. it addresses all the things we are dealing with from people these days. I love this job and am sad to see the end of it coming. It doesn’t help any of my target family and I to have guests cone in and bully us for things that are completely out of our hands. I work all over the store and have seen the rude people at guest services, cashier, electronics, and on the sales floor. From “these are horrible prices” to ” that’s a bullshit policy no wonder your closing” I’ve really heard it all. I hope more people read this article and others like it to maybe gain an understanding on how target employees aren’t at fault and shouldn’t be treated as if it were.
Thank you so much for this article, I’ll still be giving great service til our store is closed :)
Thank you Sheri.
This is a very well written article deplicting the current issues and mis-conceptions surrounding Target’s liquidation sale.
As a current team member at a Alberta store, education on the liquidation process is key. Myself, along with my team have definately seen and heard it all. It is true, we have no control over product pricing and store policies. We even do not know when the liquidation discounts will increase.
To the Bargin-Hunters: please be kind and respectful to us. Our stores are not a “dumping ground” for unwanted items.
Thank you! :)
i was a regular Target shopper and am sad to see them go and also am sad for the 17,600 people who will be unemployed shortly. I however in spite of that will continue to shop there until they close the doors for good, I’m not going to let the thought of misfortune ruin a great buy. Yes the job market will flood but because of their training they’ll be hired quickly by others.
I use to work as IT support for Target Canada. You could tell that the people that worked there loved their jobs and did their best to ensure the experience that customers had would be a good one. Initially, there were a lot of bumps – and none of their fault – but Target brass’s inability to provide and manage their stores. They thought they could just paint over the provinces with a red bulls eye and take over the already established companies (Walmart, Super C, Canadian Tire, etc.) but due to their lack of using senior executives from their US to start it up and keep it afloat while training the Canadian CEOs (usually a 4-5 year process), we see these great people doing their best while they can.
I wish them all the best of luck.
The comment about team members abandoning ship is a bit harsh considering a large majority will not be seeing any severence pay when the store is closed. Others are being realistic as the volume of people fighting for the few jobs out there as it is, is scarey. Target did an awesome job training and many companies are snapping up these employees quickly. I fpr one do not see it as abandoning ship when they have to secure jobs fortheir future.
I was in the Sherbrooke, QC Target on the 5th and staff were not only courteous but helpful and despite everything they are facing most of them were able to smile while interacting. I didn’t go expecting ‘blowout’ pricing, it was very clear it would only be 10 – 30% off.
I feel bad for those who have lost their jobs; though Target has only themselves to blame, but not buying liquidated items isn’t going to make this any better; if nobody buys, then none of the creditors get anything they’re owed, and if I wasn’t going to shop there in the first place, then anything they get out of me is money they would not have otherwise had.
Excellent atricle, i went through this with k mart in the 90’s and this is exactly what happens.
http://fivedollarfunnel.com/?ID=103062
Target screwed up. Its that simple. Hired the wrong executive team to run things in Canada. Underestimated Walmart and Canadian Tire, plus other stores like Superstore and No Frills. Prices were high, quality no better than anyone else. Price matching was not a simple process like it is at Walmart. I was really hoping they would give Walmart a runt for their money and I could start shopping at Marshalls. Nope! Marshalls screwed up and now we’re stuck shopping at Walmart, a business that no longer cares about their customers and makes us wait in long lines so they save money on staffing.
I will not shop at Target any more. I do not feel right buying liquidated items while the staff have lost their jobs. Sorry those 17,600 people lost their jobs and were relying on a poorly executed plan from who they thought were smart executives.
How did Marshalls screw up?
They pretty much did the same thing as Target did – they didn’t make their prices competetive enough for the Canadian market. I was excited when the brand new Marshalls opened in Barrie, only to realize that it was a crappier, more expensive version of Winners.
Its sad that Target its leaving Canada for the consumer. But even more sad and unfortunately for those that are losing there job. My heart goes out to them. :-(
Thank you for this. I do not shop at Target and will not be shopping the “sale”, however I found your post insightful and wise.
I too feel so badly for the staff at target. Even in the face of losing their job the staff at the St. Catharines location have been very pleasant. I think people are just upset that the article stated Black Friday prices when in all reality it was just said to get people into the stores. I hope their creditors get what they need from Target. More importantly I hope their employees find jobs.
In actuality the Black Friday comment was completely misconstrued in the media (in the same vein as the idea that we are getting a severance). Target Canada stated that the VOLUME of sales would be like Black Friday (which, even at that best guess, grossly underestimated the power of bargain hunters), not that the PRICES of sales would be like Black Friday.
The misconceptions being created by and for the public is perhaps the most infuriating part of all of this. We all know just about the same amount, so let’s stop taking our best guesses and leave it to what we know.
I was one of the people interviewed in store. I am not a shopper of target or any big store brands. I didn’t think about the people that are employed.. After reading this it made me sad to think about all those people with no work. it also made me realize how much i dont think about other people and there lives and how quickly it can change, not only theirs but mine too. I also had no idea about the liquidation process and who looses in the end. I now will go to Target to buy things I need just so they get money to pay the people that should be paid.
Very sad and disappointed to see Target leave Canada! I believe the company was not aggressive enough with their competition! Our store was never fully stocked with bare shelves in some departments. However in saying this…the staff were some of the friendliest I have ever encountered in any department store anywhere in our area! The merchandise was of better quality than other major competitors such as Walmart! The store was kept very clean and tidy making our shopping experience that much more enjoyable!!
My heart goes out to the thousands of employees….and wish you all the best during this challenging time!
The Target Store in Lindsay, ON replaced the Zellers that was there. These two stores were/are major employers in our town. It is too bad to see Target go, and my thoughts go out to the families that will be hurt by this closing, as well as the additional people collecting E.I. There is not enough industry in this town now.
Ann I am from Lindsay too and this is a huge disappointment for our small town. I will continue to shop there till the doors close. Sheri this was a great article thanks for sharing another point of view\.
I was in the Target Courtenay store and was amazed at the courteous staff even they know they are losing their jobs they smile and offer to help you. Some of these big box stores in town should smarten up some of their staff.
Thank you from all of us at Courtenay
Wow now that I know they owe the food bank I will never step foot in that dive again. Being someone who has donated money and food to the food bank all over Canada and reading this is very frustrating. Shopping at a store to give them money to bail them out from an organization that I have donated money to help the poor is like paying someone again for spending my own money!
I’d be interested in knowing why they owe the food bank first before making this comment. Perhaps the food bank invested in the company to help better the community. I don’t know if that’s the case but I would be interested in knowing the facts before starting in on the name calling.
Actually it maybe money that was put aside for donation but since they went bankrupt the monies were taken by the court. Plain and simple. Target gave money to the community by food donations and money contribution. They donated quite a bit to the flood victims in Calgary and to the community in New Brunswick during the train accident. More importantly they employed over 17000 individuals. This is not including warehouse workers and many other employees that were contracted by Target.
Excellent article! Keep it up.
great article… and most of all… good Luck to all employees.
nicolas
Thank you very much for writing a kind hearted well informed blog post about all this, my girlfriend, her sister, brother, and step dad are all being affected by this and it hurts me to see any of them being verbally abused and I get very upset with people bad mouthing the store it’s really not needed, what we need is people to be as understanding and polite as possible.
I didn’t think too much about the staff until I went in last week. I had several different interactions. A lot of staff completely ignored me and went about their work. Which did not bother me in the least. I felt bad for them. One man went out of his way to help me. I made what I hoped was a supportive comment and he said he wasn’t sure what the future was going to bring but he was working today and he was going to end strong and do the best he could. I wanted to cry. What great service and selflessness.
Well written!
I have 2 family members who are doing their best to hang in there, and provide good customer service till the store closes.
Thank you for your thoughts. I shopped at Target before they announced they were leaving Canada and had amazing service. It was a really pleasant experience. My heart goes out to all their employees. The day after they announced their closing, I went and was shocked at how busy it was and how rude the customers were – demanding employee time, complaining, and just dumping things on nearby shelves. Not sure where they came from but it was horrible. There’s a reason why I don’t shop at some stores and it has nothing to do with the staff! Hope now that the rush is done, there will be friendlier customers again. Now that Zellers and Target are gone, I’m not sure where I’ll shop.
My issue with Target is that I found their prices to be higher than Walmart for many things. Walmart’s sales were better. I couldn’t justify shopping there.
The prices may be lower at Walmart, but the quality of merchandise is far superior in Target stores. I also have a hard time supporting a company that pays their employees wages that they cannot live on (the parent US company, in the US) and have to supplement with welfare.
Typically the quality of merchandise is lower at Walmart. There are codes in the model number or they have a completely different UPC number. Yes, up front costs are less but the quality is inferior and doesn’t last as long, so you’ll be replacing it sooner, thus costing more in the long run. The same is true for most outlet stores.
Hi Sheri, I so appreciate your comments. I am a shopper who was slow to embrace Target and shopped there sporadically. I did this because I am on a fixed income and raising two children. I shop carefully and not even Walmart sees me regularly. I use coupons and wait for sales which I research.
My heart breaks for all of the Target employees who are now out of work and I make it a point to go there and pick up necessary items now. I am very respectful and wish each cashier or floor assistant best wishes and hope that they will be able to find another job sooner rather than later. I smile and try to make them feel better. I go to the store, not so much for cheaper prices, but because I feel a sense of responsibility that I had not fully participated. All Canadians should feel sad about this.
In closing, please be respectful when you go there – do not be rude or nasty. If a product is finished, so be it. Purchase what is there or leave – very simple.
Thank you for your article. We are a Target family and what I mean by that is 3 of our children and my husband work for Target. My kids are university students ( one has graduated but cannot find a job in her field). My husband was the Asset protection Leader of his store. The employees are like a family to us. When an angry customer tells one of the girls that “they are glad they are losing their job” and makes them cry because they didn’t get the 90% discount they expected, they forget about the person behind the counter. And it hurts me as much as if you had yelled at one of my kids. Wake up Canadians, that could be your son or daughter on the other side. Do they deserve this abuse? I’m so sad to hear what goes on and how mean people can be. I thought we were different and I thought we cared about our fellow man. I thought we were better.
Sad part is the people in charge of the liquidations are making it harder for the employees that are there. Apparently each store has it’s own liquidator and while some stores have awesome deals going now (vacuum reg $159-179 on sale at Kingston store for $37.99, exact same one at Oshawa store $129.99). So you go in expecting the same price and it’s not. Now knowing what the employees are going through I nicely asked why the difference in prices at the different stores and showed the picture that was sent to me from Kingston and he didn’t know. The manager was asked and poor lady explained why to us and appologized to which we said, “hey don’t not your fault look what you have to deal with knowing you’ll be out of work soon, it’s not right.” She apprecited our kindness where as other customers were just freaking at her about it. The liquidator company should get their act together and make the sales even throughout all the stores so the poor employess don’t have to deal with people losing it on them. Yes I wanted the better price but the employees don’t control over what the liquidators are doing.
As for the ones not showing up, not that I don’t blame them I understand their upset but by doing this according to what was reported on the news they’ll loose the severance package they’ve been offered.
Each store has different debt within their individual communities.
Still too bad you forgot to mention Gregg Steinhafel taking home around 61 million US. that just might have paid off al creditors & still have a few million in the bank to retire on….. jeesh.
I feel bad for all the soon to be unemployed workers. Perhaps some of the senior execs at Target who thought it was a great idea to introduce Target to Canada on a large scale too quickly will also be unemployed as well.
Im suprised no one mentioned that the CEO of Target Canada received a hefty severance packadge, larger than the entire amount allotted to the 17,000+ employees.
Corporations and those in charge should be held accountable! They’re barley impacted by this mass failure.
Where is this list you referred to and yes that is a lot they owe there creditors.
Good article. Wouldn’t it be nice for shoppers to have an option to donate their sale savings to an employee fund?
Target Canada was mismanaged from the get-go, the CEO is getting a RIDICULOUS severence (especially given that he accomplished NOTHING positive) and people need to remember that this is NOT the fault of the workers. I have rarely shopped there, simply because I was not impressed by the selection or the prices, but the workers are not at fault. They didn’t set the prices, they didn’t manage the business, they did their jobs and are continuing to do their jobs even as they watch it all come to an end.
Don’t take your frustrations out on them.
I like your realism. I can’t help but cringe at the severance packages still for high level execs.
Well written. You should have been their PR manager! If this was released instead of “Target Liquidation starts and it will be like Black Friday”, more people would be empathetic. I’m sure to most consumers Black Friday = deep discounts, so I’m not surprised people were disappointed to be it mildly, including myself.
Excellent points!! I feel for all of those individuals that are losing their jobs and for all of the businesses that are owed so much money…..never to be recuperated! The ripple effect will be tremendous!
my 23 year old son is one of the 1000’s that are losing their job…he has Down Syndrome and is a valued employee since Target came to Canada ….it is very hard to continue on as if nothing has happened, and yet, Mitchell and his team go in every day to make it the best day that they can. This despite the rude, misinformed comments, and the slobs who almost trash the shelves.
Also, Target is accountable to its shareholders, and most people with Mutual Funds will likely have a Target component in those funds….therefore, to expect the sales to be more than they are now, is limiting the return on your own investment…..be smart, people. And also be kind to Target Canada employees.
Well said and obviously researched. Too bad people couldn’t grasp these truths without having to be told..
I just am puzzled by the comments here. First of all, I worked at Zellers for years & to the end, towns just went through liquidation 2 years ago. I was always shocked at how mean & rude customers could be & what they expected from a chain store, the meanness Target employees are receiving these days beyond comprehension. Way to go Canadians…I can’t see you being proud of your behavior but…It is definitely a growing conversation on how people are acting.
It’s sounds like every Target store was a different store. I shopped there constantly. Kids clothes were awesome, bootie shorts…We bought bike shorts in 4 different colours (they were 2 for $12), black & jean shorts. My granddaughter is 8, we bought awesome clothes for her. My grandson is 6, again great selection & great prices on clothes for him. I bought a pair of jeans in Walmart for $7 (size 6), he out grew them at 61/2. I bought more at Target at $10 but guess what they fit & were 3″ LONGER! Beautiful organic cotton queen sheet sets $40. I can’t even begin to list groceries that were cheaper, cleaning supplies, regular household items. The furniture was good quality & different. Toys..Monster High outfit packages $24.99 at Walmart-$14.99 at Target. Littler packages $9.99 at Walmart-$5.99 at Target. The dolls $15! And boys toys were no different. That’s just some of the price differences. I’m on a fixed income, I check prices. Our town had 3 stores…Walmart, Superstore, Target. It is very sad to witnessed such negativity for a retailer trying to make a go of it in our country, now to see the behavior towards its employees is appalling. I think people would have been happier if they had a megalithic Walmart instead, cheap & made in China.
Nice article Sheri and I totally agree. If consumers think that the beginning of a liquidation is going to be a blowout, forget it. Get some common financial sense.
I am going to miss Target. Everything I buy from them in the US is available in Canada AND at the same price (sans the dollar exchange). My only complaint was the store where I shopped had no stock!
No matter what the circumstances there is never any reason to be rude whether it’s the employees at Target or the guests. Keep it polite people, it is hard enough that so many are losing their jobs. Also if you don’t have all the facts you may not want to comment on something like you do know it all. First off not all of the people owed money by Target are big global companies, there are small companies in there. Some didn’t even make it onto the creditors list as it’s my understanding that you had to have had your invoices/bills into Target to be included on that list.
I personally did some work for a small company (up to 5 people) who was doing some marketing work for Target and we’re not getting paid for that work, hardly a global company. However I count myself thankful that for me in comparison to those losing their steady income this was minor, I feel for those who are losing way more like the Target employees. Yes if they are able to last until the store closes (many will want to secure full time jobs of course) they will get a severance, you may think it’s generous and I’m not saying it’s not decent it is but as someone who has been in that situation, even if you’re looking every day for a job doesn’t mean you’ll find it before that money runs out especiallly when there are over 17,000 people who also lost their jobs, the market will be flood with people, lessening their chances, especially if their experience is in retail and they’re looking for retail jobs. It’s going to be tough for people so please don’t go on about their packages it’s not easy and they have a tough road ahead of them.
I’ve been there and it took me 6 months after my money ran out to find a full time job, I did part time and took whatever I could get in the mean time. Be kind all it’s not all black and white.
Not severance…..16 weeks of paid work notice and expected to be there
I’ve never had a problem wit the prices at Target, and I am on a very tight budget. Most people don’t realize that they almost always had great coupons on their website. For example, there was multiple times I was able to buy a case of baby formula for $35 because Target was always selling it in between $39-$45, the first being the on sale price and the latter being their regular price, and then I would use the $3 off coupon they always had on their website. The same case of Enfamil A+ formula is between $50-60 anywhere else, including Walmart. Also their medicine (Tylenol, Vicks, Tempra, etc.) was always almost half the price as Walmart, and I’m talking about their regular prices, not their sale prices. I get all of my baby stuff there because it’s the only place I can afford to go to other than Once Upon A Child. I am really having a hard time figuring out what we are going to do now that they are leaving.
As an employee at Target I just want to say thank-you for writing that article, it’s nice to hear guests come in and say how sorry they are to hear that many are loosing their jobs. I just want to remind all the others out there you should think before you speak because you may think you know everything but how is that possible when us employees don’t know jack about what’s going to happen from day to day! Let’s start a little list for all you know it alls – First of all the Zellers employees were given a chance to apply and be interviewed the first year that Target was open. Second – If you’re stupid enough to think any liquidation sale starts off at 50-70 or even 30% off entire store well then you’ve been dropped on your head one too many times. Third – I love all you whiners that complain about the deals not being good enough as you’re spending 300 to 500 dollars lmfao (that one is self explanatory) Last but certainly not least are the people that come in and say they never liked target anyway as they are shopping there, do you know how stupid you look? Got ur attention yet? GOOD, now that I’ve given out a little of what we’ve been receiving (and I have to admit it felt a bit good) I want to get serious for one minute. THIS FRICKEN SUCKS!!!! Take 2 minutes and put yourself in our shoes, some of us are single moms that have to wonder if they can find another job to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, others have a mortgages to worry about. Ya sure we are getting paid up until mid May but that is only if we stick it out till they let us know we are not to report back to work, but what then? have you been out looking for a job lately, because let me tell you they don’t come easy. So when you go into Target please have some compassion and remember the employees have no control over anything, we have to do our job as we’re told to do it just like anyone else and keep in mind, it could be you or one of you’re children that go through this one day, no job is secure! The Target employees didn’t take a vote and ask Target to close down so don’t treat us like it’s our fault. Oh yeah, and about the store being a mess well what can I say, it’s all the inconsiderate shoppers that are making it that way. So if you come in to Target and think you’re having a bad day because you’re not getting a good enough deal maybe you should think about what kind of day we are having knowing we are out of a job. I just want to leave on a good note by saying we are a family at Target and if you think you’ve ruined our day by being grumpy I can assure you that you didn’t, we still have fun and enjoy being around our fellow employees and will till right the end!
Well said. Too many “know-it-alls” around don’t know anything.
very well said ,I applause u ,sorry u are loosing ur job but will pray for all of u to get another one soon,best of luck
Very well put lala. I too am an employee and I agree ..it does suck. All these people who are commenting with negative posts KNOW ABSOLUTLY NOTHING. They dont work at Target so they have no say to what is going on. The ones who say they have never shopped there … fine but dont throw it in our faces when you now show up to shop. Your being rude and ignorant to the employees. If you don’t have anything nice to say or compassion to those losing their jobs then keep you mouth shut or even better stay out of the store, We are going through enough.
I don’t even know why any company would come into canada and try to compete with Walmart or Costco. Target had to have known they were destined for failure the only thing that changed from Zellers was the name.
I have been through liquidation 3 times as an employee. This is the hardest experience in their working lives they will go through. The ability to remain calm, pleasant and smiling while dealing with the vultures that come in looking for rock bottom prices at the start is not easy. For all the Target employees out there reading this, know that you will be even stronger people by the end. Liquidation is similar to a garage sale. If you are running a garage sale for 3 days you don’t sell everything for a dime the first day, you slowly reduce it. If the prices aren’t what you want right now, then leave and take the chance that what you want will still be there when the percentage gets to where you want it. Chances are it won’t be. Accept that and move on. For those that say Target here wasn’t the same as it is in the U.S., you’re right, it’s not but neither is Walmart. Walmart prices here are not as good as in the U.S. and neither is the selection yet we all flock there. Keep in mind that all these employees will soon be unemployed through NO fault of their own. They deserve our compassion and to be treated as human beings. Remember the Golden Rule and put yourselves in their shoes for just a bit.
Well I don’t think Target closing was an “employee” problem. Employees were victims of a poorly run company. Right from the day that target opened its doors the prices were not what we expected, stock was extremely low and when the item we wanted to purchase was scanned at the check out…it was often wrong. It is a shame that the company did not listen and correct its sales. The items were too expensive and still are. Items found at Target are still more money than then exact same thing at Walmart. A poorly run business that did not correct its mistakes reported months prior to closing.
Completely agree!!! And Target did something absolutely foolish; they came into Canada with an extremely aggressive plan with a complete lack knowledge about the Canadian consumer. They assumed that because they were “Target” Canadians would flock to their stores and just give them their hard earned money. Canadians are NOT Americans. We are, by nature, savvy consumers.
Entered and expanded too fast, complete misunderstanding and judgement of Canadian shoppers and foolhardy assumptions were just the beginnings of a disaster in the making that was Target Canada.
I agree!
I am truly sorry about targets employees losing jobs. How ever I live in millwoods I stopped going to target due to the fact that the staff were very rude as well as they would talk in there language over my head to one another stare at me then talk more rapidly (very rude) the price on the shelf never matched the item granted it didnt help people putting stuff anywhere on any shelf if they Didnt want it the variety of kids clothes was horrible I couldnt find a decent pair of shorts last summer for my 12 yr old that were not booty shorts as gor the prices they were ok I think alot of us were thinking it would be alot like states prices and were disapointed whenvit was not all in all I say good ridance Target lets hope they put sompthing better in there
So in the numerous visits to your local Target every single staff member were rude to you? And you went to the same store many – MANY – times?
Excuse me but I find that difficult to believe. Reading your comment gives me pause as I see no punctuation or grammar skills so it’s a little easy to believe that they were talking over your head.
Not trying to be mean or insulting but pointing out some obvious flaws to your argument.
what do you mean ‘talk in their language’?
Although this article is making many consumers look like they are just in it for the sale prices, many consumers are also coming in to Target and verbally/physically abusing the Team Members. As someone who works for Target, I would just expect more courtesy and respect from our guests. I hate walking in to work every single day and hearing my team members be called racial slurs, having people tell me Target is a waste and that’s why we are going out or business, and yet try to scam us for better deals. People don’t seem to realize how much abuse the team members are taking from the guests….that’s just something else to take in to consideration. We are doing our absolute best, but when people start to disrespect us, we aren’t going to bother putting up with their nonsense.
For all of the truly sincere and respectful guests, we really do thank you. It’s hard enough as is and we are just glad you are watching out for us. Thank you.
Also, Target has been very unfair to everyone. Canada should have done something…contract stating the company has to stay for 5 years, minimum.
Dear Smeena.
I am a consumer, but also worked in retail for several years.
You’re right, it’s a shame that some guests to your store do not have an understanding – nor seem to care – about the circumstances you choose to work under as a dedicated, responsible employee.
I’m sorry for your loss, which is what this is, and wish you all the best in the future. You’re in a very difficult situation.
Please – for consumers that choose to read this, please don’t take your frustrations and negativity out on these workers. Let’s all be the polite, respectful Canadians that we truly are and have some empathy for those who literally have no control over what is happening.
Many blessings.
Completely agree! Remember when Canadians were known for being polite? Sad that we’ve sunk so low.
I recently visited the Target in Sherwood Park. When I was paying the cashier was telling another customer that she will be employed until May 17th or until everything is sold. She then mentioned that Target will pay an average of what would have been her pay from May – December. With that it’s important to know that the staff are being treated more than fairly – in fact better than many people being laid off right now. Also, the creditor list is comprised of multi million dollar, global companies. They will not go broke over Target’s settlement and I highly doubt there will be lay offs over 245k for some. That is a drop in the barrel, a blip not devastating.
Just my thoughts.
In some cases of staff, Target has decreased the hours per shift as well as number of hours per wek. My son was full time, but is lucky to be getting half of those hours. If you leave before the store officially closes, there is no severance. How is that being treated fairly.
As with every place of business, be it corporate or retail, the employee has to stay until the bitter end to be entitled to severance. I have been there, done that. Sorry about your son but that’s just the way it works and actually makes sense.
Correcting a few errors to the above:
The “severance” that target employees received is actually the minimum required for layoffs of this size. This severance is actually only meant to top off their salary to ensure they receive their average weekly salary – most employees are working at least their average or more right now and this will likely be the case until the stores close – therefore – potentially MANY employees will not receive severance, they will receive their paycheque.
If you actually looked at the list of creditors, many of them are not multimillion dollar companies (granted quite a few are).
Finally all the media talk has been about the 17,600 jobs lost at Target. I can only imagine the ripple effect on potential job loss at all the other companies that provided goods & services to Target.
Only full time workers are getting severence, and even though a lot of workers work full time hours, they are not considered full time unless they are a manager of their department. The majority of Target employees will get nothing. The government is thinking of making exceptions to EI because most of the workers will be just shy of the hours needed to get EI
Okay, wait a minute.
1. I asked staff when the store was closing because I was actually concerned about the employees. I know a few folks who work there and frankly, I work retail too and it sucks that these people are losing jobs due to poor executive planning. I am actually concerned on several fronts. One, because more people are losing jobs (bad). Two, the unemployment rate and claims will go up (worse).
2. I have never been rude to a retail employee unless I was treated rudely first. And even then, I’m more likely to be overly nice and sweet, to show them how nice people act. On the whole, the Target employees i’ve interacted with were awesome.
3. I understand the creditors want to get paid and that it affects those other businesses and the people that work there, but again, lets put the blame where it belongs; Target executives from the good old US of A who didn’t plan right, didn’t understand the market and frankly, didn’t really care to do either of these things. THEY are responsible for folks losing jobs and creditors not getting paid. The Canadian execs got rewarded with bonuses and excellent compensation packages (it was actually reported in the news that they did) all for FAILING to do their jobs effectively. None of them or their families will starve unless they are completely foolish with their money.
4. I know that sale percentages start off low, I work retail too. There is a difference though to announce a huge liquidation sale and only have regular sale discounts, and actually discounting to liquidation pricing. The logical thing for them to have done is, start off with just a sale, use the pricing discounts they started with and LEAVE THE BIG LIQUIDATION SIGNS out of it until much later when prices WILL drop drastically.
5. Knowing that Canadians pay HST of 13%, why not start their discounts at that? That way people at least feel they are getting a bargain and there are better feelings towards Target in the long run. So, when folks go to the States to shop Target, they won’t have bad feelings and will still shop their. It promotes customer loyalty.
All that being said, we need the unemployment rate to go down, not up!
Alberta doesn’t pay HST. We pay GST of 5%.
Yes, Jane, let’s blame the whole “good old US of A” for the failure of a big box store to succeed in Canada. Clearly the whole country banded together to pillage unsuspecting Canadians of their hard earned dollars. {*insert eye roll*}
I happen to agree with most of your message, but as a hard working, dual citizenship American/Canadian who’s been raising my family, paying taxes, and volunteering loads of time at schools here in Canada for the past ten years, I am so tired of all the anti-U.S. sentiment here.
Admittedly, I didn’t think of the Court directed liquidation. It is sad what’s happening to the people who work there and all the Canadian companies that they owe money to. Regardless though, as a consumer I’m still not buying something at 10-30% when I can wait and get it for 50-75% off later. In the end, as sad as it is, it isn’t the consumer’s responsibility to delay that person’s pendimg layoff by paying more…in other words it isn’t the end consumer’s job to make up for Target’s abysmal management.
No one consciously goes through this mental process when deciding whether to ignore Target’s lame initial “sale” they just don’t bother going and wait until the real sale starts.
This is a pointless article. you are casting judgement on the people looking for good deals. while it is terrible that this company is leaving canada and leaving many people out of work, it is not the people looking for deals that should feel bad, its the executives that placed the orders to these canadian companies, that asked for credit from these companies and most likely asked for an extension of credit repeatedly. the people who knew about this are the ones we should be judging! i probably won’t go to target ever again, but i don’t blame anyone who wants to go to the store and pay next to nothing for whatever they want to buy. I won’t judge them, ill judge the system that allows a foreign company come into our country, set up relationships with all these suppliers, request credit; then leave them high and dry… terrible situation
Hi Sansta, Just trying to share another perspective. I like a good sale too but the comments on the first day left me feeling like some may not have considered these points. I don’t blame anyone, just reminding everyone to act in kindness.
I think this speaks to what Canadian consumers want/are lacking/don’t understand why we don’t have: A super discount store that has even larger discounts from time-to-time and also decent products. I am unsure if it’s to do with our higher minimum wage, corporations not getting their hand in, our smaller population (gouging), weaker dollar or a combination of all of these.
I still think your point rings true, we should be kind to employees and always remember that whatever problems you have with any corporations surely weren’t caused by the staff you are complaining to about them.
Thank you for having insight into the Target situation and the 17600 employees.
My daughter graduated from a five year co-op program at University of Waterloo last spring with the hopes of getting a job in her field. She did not!
Target hired her in the fall and she has enjoyed every day she has worked there since then. Now she is faced with unemployment and the daily questions about the store closing and “the sales”. She answers politely and with a smile to the enquires. Please be kind to the employees, they are living with uncertainty about their futures!!
Target did something unheard of in bankruptcy situations…. they created a trust fund of 75 million approx. in order to guarantee employees working during the liquidation get paid and they will get their severence pay at the end. Usually the employees are behind all the other creditors in liquidation. Nortel didn’t due this and many employees didn’t receive money owed.
Thank you for your kind words Sheri. As a Target Team member who just celebrated her 2year anniversary with the company, it’s been rough and well, kindness goes a long ways these days. Your blog post is making the rounds through the Target family, and is appreciated no matter what the grumps and trolls say!
I went into Chinook target- after closing was announced and was amazed at the attitude of the staff. Very friendly and was asked many times if they could help me. I didn’t go in for the sales just went in to pick up a few items because it was the closest store to me. It was the day after starbucks closed, which must have been a bad day for them-knowing the same thing was going to happen to them- they would be without jobs, yet they still had a great attitude.
To have promotional signs reading up to 30% off and see only 10% discounts, sets up a negative environment as soon as you enter the store. The staff is on edge, fielding complaints and the atmosphere is negative on all sides.
If you read the signs, they said “up to”. We can’t hold them responsible for people assuming everything would be 30% off. Every store does it. All the time!
Thank you for this story! It puts this in perspective for people, hopefully! I heard that the first day after Target announced their closure that people we’re going in and demanding to see the deals .. I have even heard of some people making Target employees cry! It horrifies me that we live in such a society! Sure we all love a deal; however, we have to understand that there are impacts – for everyone!
I also stopped in at my local Target on the weekend, not to seek deals but rather out of necessity as I needed a few items and it is on my way home. While at the checkout I had a conversation with the cashier about the sale and volume of people that it had attracted despite the true “deep discounts”. She kindly informed me that Target employees are very happy to see the stock clearing out quickly because they will be receiving severence until Mid May. The faster the shelves clear and Target closes their doors for good, the more time the staff have as paid time without actually working.
Oh and P.S. in MY local target they have already removed all of the price checkers, therefore if you need to find an item price there is no option but to ask.
As someone who has been through layoffs I absolutely see what she is saying here, however I don’t think you do. It’s not about “Woohoo! 2 months of paid vacation!” It’s about losing your job and still having the money to pay bills while you look for one. I don’t know where you live but jobs are not easy to come by in all provinces. So if it takes a month to get a new job or they have to take a lower paying job ‘in the meantime’ they can still pay bills and won’t have to go on EI. So yes, I can absolutely see why she wouldn’t want the store to be open until mid May.
Wow. With the exception of a handful of comments, what a bunch of whiny consumers you are. Complaining about the discounts not being big enough and the “preparedness” on their staff. These people are losing their jobs. You’re lucky they’re even there to put up with you and your complaints. Get your shop on and forget about the good things in life.
I have been through the liquidation (as a consumer) of several stores- Woolworths/Woolco, Kmart, Saan, Zellers, Robinsons, Kresge’s, and Liquidation World. Every liquidation sale sucks. People are crazy and rude, staff are obviously unhappy, the deals are never good enough until near the end when everything is really picked over already, the stores always trot out some god-awful stock that they were keeping in some storage locker out back or something, and the prices are always jacked up before the sale actually starts leaving your discount to be that much poorer. When Kmart shut down, I went to the store the day before the sale to scope out a few items of interest. The very next day, when the liquidation started, ALL of those items were starting at a much higher cost than the day before! When Zellers closed, all of the good stock items went to the Bay or elsewhere, and the Bay used it as their dumping ground for all of their old crap.
Target was never a good store. Their youth clothing department was a joke, their kids shoe section almost non-existent, their grocery items all too high, adult clothing priced too high as well as the sizes fitting wrong, the layout of the store was strange, and I found that although there were plenty of staff, most of them didn’t seem keen on customer service. In our smaller city, and one Target store, not one single Zellers employee was hired. Those that were hired at Target, I swear were imported from another town or city, as I didn’t recognize a single person! The music department was a joke, movie section not much better, the magazines section was hidden in the luggage department (?). I used to do merchandising in a dozen different stores, and I have never seen such a messed up system. Their only saving grace was their toy section- but even that stayed static year round, rather than growing for the busy Christmas season. I feel for the employees, but am glad to say “Sayonara!” To Target. Hopefully, our mall isn’t left with a giant empty hole forever once it’s gone. We don’t need another rotting empty business space, like the old WalMart…
Whats annoying is having people fill up our red carts with stuff and then just Leave then all over the place. You have people come up to cashiers with 15 different cosmetic items like lip stick eye liner…asking for the price so I have to scan each and everyone. One by one just to hear them them say no i don’t want that. Keep in mind there is a line. And of those 15 items they only end up taking 4. Our self scanning machine are not there to collect dust. Then you have people say “Oh walmart this Oh walmart that…” like no one forced you to come to target. You came in your own. Keep your dumb walmart comments to yourself. And as for this black Friday thing…I Think that was hilarious.
There’s no need for people to come to my store and trash it the way they do. Like this is my second home and yes that’s why I have a slight attitude.
Ashley, I salute you and all the other employees who continue to go to work and face the chaos of a liquidation, the rude shoppers, the heartless comments and things that I cannot begin to comprehend or imagine. I am not a Canadian, I am a South African who visited Canada and absolutely loved shopping at Target. The friendly staff was an absolute pleasure to experience. I felt so sad when my daughter told me about the possible closure of the stores. The implications to people like yourself are unthinkable. God bless you and your fellow workers. I pray that you all find decent jobs soon and I really, really hope that Target will re-open again in Canada in the near future, even if only in the larger cities to start (in Ottawa please!!).
I have yet to see a self scanning machine in my Target location and believe me, I have looked. Also, with merchandise scattered all over the place, the chances of it being in the proper place on the shelf with the correct price tag under it is slim. There is also tons of merchandise stacked on shelves WITHOUT price tickets. So yes, people will want to know the price. I did manage to find a sale rep on the floor who could scan my items for me to give me prices, but had I not found him, I would have also checked prices at the cash and then turned down things when they were grossly overpriced. I shop, so I know my prices and something that is $10 more at Target with a 10% discount isn’t worth it, so that baby is staying in store. I did manage to buy a bunch of items. I have been a loyal Target shopper despite the empty shelf syndrome and the pile of rain cheques I collected in my wallet as a result of never having the merchandise advertised in the flyer even at store opening on the first day of the flyer.
When you work in retail you always have to put up with attitudes from customers, and do it with a smile. If you cannot do that then you have likely chosen the wrong field to work in.
you deal with people yelling at you over prices and things not being on shelves…I have worked in retail for close to 14 yrs and have to deal with that shit. So what gives you the right to say that? Clearly you have mr a) worked in retail, b) don’t care about the employees feelings just your own and c) you must be one of those people who leave stuff lying around. So don’t give me that holy then thou crap until you have walked in our shoes you rude woman.
Thank you for this side of the story. I work for Target and it is pretty insensitive for the majority of people to ask us “When are you closing?” To me it sounds like it is the only thing they care about. It’s either that or “Why aren’t the percentages higher?” these things are out of our hands. I get that it should be more but if you wait for further deals then you will be upset you didn’t get your merchandise you were waiting for. I come to work because I care about my Target family and helping our guests.
Hmmmm….I understand everyone wants a “deal”! We as Canadians are better than that! We know that the employees are going to lose their jobs and they could very well be one of our family, friends or friends of friends. We also know that one of those creditors could also be family, friends or friends of friends…..Maybe we should pay it forward and the money that we think we are truly saving should be put into the pocket of that one employee that helped us out find the item we were looking for?? Pay it forward! I have never been to Target in Calgary but will this next week to support the creditors so they can get their money or portion thereof and also to gift an employee that deserves it! And would be happy that some of my Canadian brethren would do the same! Have a Great Day Eh!
I can appreciate staff loyalty and it’s honourable that staff are still going in, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t receive a paycheque in the final weeks!! Target Canada owes everyone and their mother so staff, think about yourself first, not your employer!
My only grumbling was that “up to 30% off” is a sale, NOT a liquidation sale….so this sale is utterly ridiculous. The lineup to checkout was an hour long….who the hell waits an hour to save 30%? Pointless. Unless an actual LIQUIDATION sale begins (meaning a MINIMUM of 50% off), walking into Target is as pointless now as it was before the np bankruptcy was announced.
I am glad someone wrote “The other side of the Target closure”… It is not a claim to fame. Not for the lack of business planning from the target company, the lack of forsight, not for the 17,000 people interviewed, hired and now jobless. That is a huge loss! I went to my target as often as I could despite not having the same choices or variety as offered at other stores… When I went a few days ago it struck me how polite the cashier was ~ how sales people still served us even knowing it was all but over. I like to think that’s a Canadian thing…but I am sure it happens all over the world. Still a sad day… We were so looking forward to having Target in Canada… It could have been so much more. Maybe 138 stores was a grandiose plan sometimes less is more! Sometimes people are promoted and given jobs way beyond their scope this certainly seems like a very expensive lesson for target! And a life altering one for 17,000 Canadians… So be polite. Be Canadian.
While I agree with some of the article. I’d have to argue that Target employees aren’t still showing up to work out of a love for customer service, but a need for cash. If you were told that you were about to lose your job in mere weeks and you had no prospects lined up, surely a need to feed and house yourself and your family would motivate you more than “a choice to continue to provide customer service.” Many of these employees have no choice. They have families to feed, bills to pay. That doesn’t make them “amazing,” it makes them normal people trying to get by in a crappy economy. Mexx folded earlier this year, are their employees amazing for working during liquidation? If you have no options, you do what you can. Little too much Target employee hero-worship going on here. Nothing against them or anything. I just think you were way over the top there, and really neglecting the obvious facts.
Hi Kathryn, my opinion still stands and I do think that employees who go in during liquidation are amazing no matter who they work for. Because my opinion is different than yours, it doesn’t make either of us wrong in thinking that.
I think hero-worshipping is an apt word to be used here. There was a recent Canada Microsoft layoff and you heard nearly nothing about it. I’ve only seen target employees going to the news. Businesses go through this all the time. You have a job and not every job is sunshine and flowers, it’s your responsibility to show up. If bail on your shifts because customers are so mean then you should reevaluate your work ethics. I’m saying this as someone who was laid off this year and has with many years of retail experience.
Thanks for your thoughtful post and the heartfelt followup comments by many.
Two thoughts:
(1) As a parent of two management recruits who were hired via Target Canada’s campus recruitment program, I am grateful for the amazing training and exposure our daughters have had. Target (the parent company) no doubt had some serious mis-steps (going back to the decision to buy so many leases all at once), but they do have solid track record for systems and employee engagement. Although our daughters are both exhausted from their efforts, neither regrets their decision to join the company. In an age of unpaid internships for new university graduates, these two have achieved unparalleled experiences. They have worked long hours, but their pay has been good, and they have been exposed to amazing mentors from the US (many of whom have uncertain employment futures – let’s be kind to them too). Both daughters are already mulling over impressive employment offers with other key retail organizations. They are (for the moment) soldiering on to support their teams through the liquidation. I support your plea for people to be kind to Target associates. The employees here cut a swath through Canadian society. They are us – treat them as such.
(2) In looking at the list of creditors and amounts owing, my husband (who trained as an accountant) reminded me that most invoices are on a 45 day cycle. While it is unfortunate that creditors have been left in the lurch recently, in reality, Target Canada did pay many bills over the past couple of years (ranging from construction personnel to suppliers to employees). While the ending is nothing to celebrate, I do believe the company entered our country with good intentions, and they did leave money on our soil over the past couple of years.
I stopped shopping at Walmart because target had everything I needed and better customer service. I’m in there 2-3 times a week. Sorry that it’s closing its doors and so many are losing out because of it.
I am a business owner and have also worked in retail… I understand and respect those employees. It must be difficult for them going into work knowing they won’t have a job x amount of weeks from now… Let’s me kind and thoughtful, let’s be considerate and sensitive to their situation. Regardless if “Target” did not execute their plan effectively… The employees are not the cause of failure here… If I could I would offer jobs to all of them….
whats your business?
i would like to apply
I sure agree with what was said here. The staff who choose to stay & take care of their customers are heroes, knowing that their days are numbered at Target.
I for one know what the feeling is like:
It happened to me & all the of the hotel staff of Montreal Loews La Cité hotel many years ago when we were all laid off 2 weeks before Christmas with no prior notice, & to add insult to injury, we were all marched out the door individually by the same security guard whom we came to be friendly with. We were no longer considered friends, but were treated just like as if we were all criminals.
I was one of the lucky cooks whom got employment within the week, & was working again for Christmas in Montreal.It can be very humiliating, & my advice to the Target employees; On your last day working, walk out with your heads held high & be proud of yourselves, because it wasn’t your fault for what has happened. You surely will find other employment, so do not be discouraged.
I am now retired after 51 years cooking, but my thoughts are with all of you Target employees. I sincerely wish each one of you Good Luck!
Mr Clancy – very nice comment. Thank you for your beautiful words and advice.
I for one am dissapointed that target is closing. It was my favourite department store to shop. And besides as a frequent target shopper they definitely had deals and the targets I ever went to were surely not bare shelves.
I loved target! I’m sad to see it closing. I always had amazing customer service there and I’m sad those employes are loosing their jobs. I loved girls clothes, good prices and super cute!
THANK you for writing this article. I have been very bothered by all the complaints about Target since they opened in Canada. It was my happy place and I feel so sad that they are closing.
I don’t think Canadians realize how many Canadian companies depended on Target. It’s sad that they didn’t get the support they deserved.
I will keep going to Target until they close their doors for good. I love my Target store, the employees there and the products they carry.
I remember when Target first opened in Newmarket, my daughter and I were excited to go in. Once in the store we were greatly disappointed as the shelves were bare and store had an empty feel due to that. I’ve been back in the store here in Barrie twice after that and each time again the shelves were empty and damned if I could find anything I needed. I’m not surprised they are closing down due to the fact of the empty shelf syndrome , I didn’t want to go back.
I feel bad for the employees who have lost their Jobs but no way in hell will I feel sorry for Target itself .
If the stores actually had product and things people wanted they have would have done better.
Mabel needs to get her facts straight. HBC closed Zellers. Target bought the leases of select locations. Target had absolutely nothing to do with Sellers employees losing their jobs. I personally was not impressed by all the shelves that were empty from day one and still not nearly fully stocked when the closure was announced. Another major issue which turned customers away was the advertised sales with no stock. Why advertise a sale if the item is not on the shelves?
I have to agree with the empty shelf thing. I have been a loyal Target shopper despite the empty shelf syndrome and the pile of rain cheques I collected in my wallet as a result of never having the merchandise advertised in the flyer even at store opening on the first day of the flyer. I guess I can keep those rain cheques to remember Target just like I’m sure there’s a Zellers bag somewhere in my Mom’s basement.
How can a company like this have a food bank as a creditor??? I understand about the other companies that supply them but a food bank come on what’s wrong with this!!!!
It could also be money owed to the Food Bank as part of a charitable agreement. Don’t quote me on that though as I don’t know the situation. Only offering a possible reason.
The problem with Target was their prices were too high to begin with and the shelves were often bare. That;s been neaten to death but how do you draw in shoppers when they can get better deals elsewhere? I went to look for an iPad yesterday. The regular price was far higher than the price at Future shop down the road. Even factoring in the 5% discount on Apple goods for the “liquidation” it was still $10 more than Future Shop’s price. Guess where I went to buy my iPad?
Actually, Apple sets the retail pricing for all their products in their retailer agreements. I’m surprised Target was allowed to offer iPads at a 5% discount; normally Apple wouldn’t allow it. I don’t believe your comment for a second.
I totally believe Ron, as the same situation happened to me. I was told it was Apple, not target who decides the discount, if any on their products. Apple was offering 5%. I ended up at best buy buying an iPad $40 cheaper.
Actually, they were on 5% off. my sister also went in to look for a few things and wants an ipad so she swung around just to see if there was a deal. Being only 5% off and the fact she wasn’t really prepared to buy one for a few months she didn’t get it. But yes, it was on sale.
I just want to say thank you for writing a proper article about our stores. Being a Target employee during a liquidation is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure. Working at Guest Service especially, you have dozens of people coming up to you asking for price adjustments and wanting extra percentages off. I’ve been called rude names, been told I’m an idiot and have things thrown at me over the past two years, but I can honestly say Target has been one of the best jobs. I’ve helped set up the store with my Target family before we opened, and I will be there til the end.
I’m really appreciative if you telling people to be nice to us, we are only there to ring your stuff through and help you out as much as possible. We cannot change prices or barter win you. It’s sad to see so many people in other stores have given up and just don’t care. It’s hard to stomach going I to work knowing that in a few weeks you won’t be there anymore, but I guess you have to make the most of it right?
Thank you again.
I can’t say I feel your pain in terms of going through liquidation. However, I do work in retail and I absolutely hate when customers come in and try to bargain the price with you. No you can not change the price because it would make you happy. The price is set by people that don’t give a damn about their customers excuse. Furthermore, I’m sure from experience that its super stressful having people take their anger out on you as if you actually made the product or prices yourself. Stay strong, this is the time to get into social and e-commerce, I’ve got mine set and ready to go.
thank you for this article. Maybe it’s just me, but I have zero understanding why anyone would be mean to the employees. How on earth could they be blamed? I feel terrible for them.
I worked in retail for years, and the impression I got was that many of the customers felt a sense of entitlement when they walked into the store, that those who were there to “serve” them were literally their servants. It gave them a sense of power, like they were your master and had every right to treat you like you were beneath them. I don’t understand it either, why people jump at the chance to be so rude and ignorant toward other human beings, but fortunately it was not the majority of the customers that were like this. It would be nice if they would educate themselves a little before they make fools of themselves and make those they insult feel so badly. The people who are complaining about the Target liquidation process clearly have no clue how business works.
Bottom line with rude customers is, they think because you work retail you are stupid with a meaningless job. Working retail has certainly opened my eyes.
Well said, thank you.
First it was the mom and pop stores closing, followed by big box stores. Just another example of how Walmart is ruling or ruining, depending on your view, the retail market
What disgusts me the most about this Target situation is that the guy running Target Canada got a $61 Million kiss off when he drove Target into the ground in 2 years.
Target could have hired me and i would have tanked the place for a third of that.
To the Target employees who have stayed to the end i feel bad for you all. Stay strong.
Keep in mind that the CEO had also worked for Target for countless years and this “severance package” that the media has been reporting was really his own stock options. He only got something like $15-million from his contract when he left the company. Media has blown it out of proportion.
Actually the original CEO Tony Fischer was fired in 2014 I believe due to disappointing sales. The current CEO who got the $61 mill (I think his name is Greg something) who was Tony’s replacement has only been with the company for a few months and now he’s financially set for life.
There have been two Presidents of Target Canada. Tony Fisher was the first, who was dismissed for “flawed execution.” The company then brought in Mark Schindele to replace him.
Meanwhile, Gregg Steinhafel was CEO of Target Corporation, and had been with the organization since 1979. He was replaced by Brian Cornell after the data breach.
Tony Fisher was President of Target Canada, while Gregg Steinhafel was CEO of Target Corporation.
Sorry, seem to have pasted an extra sentence in there :)
No one NEEDS 61 million dollars !
It has been disheartening watching and hearing of this store closing. But what most people don’t realize is that there are more jobs lost from the closing of target than just target employees. All the products in target came from companies with sales reps that supported these products at target. There are sales people throughout businesses losing their jobs as well. This is a true economic loss for the country. Liquidation is horrible for everyone. I was in target on Thursday night and wanted to give the cashier a hug – terrible. But the product in the stores has to be sold. There is no going back but there is th right attitude to go forward. I really hope people become more humble to this and smile, offer a coffee, anything to help through the remainder of this ordeal.
More so, it is not lost on me that the more american stores come into canada, the more Canadian stores close. I love Anne Taylor but I haven’t bought anything in Canada. I don’t think it’s coincidence that Jacob is closing a year after AT arrived. There isn’t going to be much Canadian left if we don’t start paying attention.
too bad the Canadians who are now flocking to Target for the deals couldn’t have shopped there regularly and kept them open. I always found they had good deals, and I found quite a few items that were 50% off in the couple days before the “big sale”. They just weren’t advertised. But regular shoppers got them…..
Excuse me Dawn, we CANADIANS WOULD have shopped there regularly, had there been things to actually buy that were worth it!
Target in Canada, is nothing like the one in the US..from everyone I have talked with about Target, they all say the same thing, it’s like they just changed the name of Zeller’s to Target, same stuff. Although, I think Zeller’s had more choices and better items than Target did.
I feel for the ones without jobs, all of them, but it just wasn’t the same as we were led to believe. They should have started out with a few stores first, then had 200+.
Target in Canada is EXACTLY like Target in the US. I don’t know where people are getting the idea that it isn’t. I’m a loyal shopper at Target on both sides of the border. When it first opened here, every time I was in a store, I had to keep reminding myself that I *wasn’t* in America, and I could buy what I want instead of worrying about my allowances at the border. Even the prices were the exact same, which is really commendable given the exchange and duties.
My ONLY complaint about Target in Canada was that they obviously had stock issues. I’d say someone couldn’t get the hang of cross-border logistics.
It is not like US because we are NOT at US, I don’t know why all the people wants that Target has to have the same prices than US, Canadian market it is really different than US market, the territory, the logistics, the law, the taxes everything it’s different they can offer the same price
Zellers was unorganized and a mess but at least the shelves were always full. I visited target a handful of times with nothing but disappointment. I literally could find nothing to buy. Target came into Canada poorly prepared, with a US business model and tried to go too big too fast. They are to blame for the employees losing their jobs. Customers treating the employees like dirt are not helping but no one should be blaming Canadians for not shopping at a store that was set up like that. No one is to blame here except the execs.
Tammy, what exactly was “not worth it?” I think it is common knowledge among consumers that despite having major issues in their supply chain, Target still offered a higher quality product that most department stores and big-box retailers.
I’m also not sure where you’ve gotten this idea that Target is like Zellers. Have you ever stepped into either store? I seriously doubt it. What have you been led to believe? There is no way prices in a Canadian Target could be the same as they are down south. There are transportation and fuel costs to account for, taxes and duties, and differing wage rates throughout Canada. The cost of goods needs to be higher than in the U.S.
The only thing you said that makes any sense is that Target should’ve slowed their expansion. If they had stuck to their original plan rather than making what I think was their greatest mistake in taking advantage of a situation by acquiring the majority of the Zellers leaseholds from HBC, then Target in Canada would’ve been a different story. What they should’ve done is opened a single store in each market throughout the country and created demand for their product. They could iron out any operational mistakes (such as empty shelves) on a smaller scale (what sounds better: “Target’s five stores have empty shelves” OR “Target’s 100+ stores can’t keep their shelves full?”). Once mistakes were fixed, they could look at capturing some market share and opening further stores when they began seeing trends toward profitability. Just look at IKEA, for example. By opening up just a single store in a market they create a destination for people to come and shop at. Instead, Target relied on brand recognition to try and capture market share and that’s what begun their spin into failure.
Agree completely! It’s amazing how many people are shopping there now getting ‘good deals’ when I got better deals during their regular sales. I will miss them and their prices.
I agree! I loved shopping at Target. I didn’t see empty shelves in our Target. I got awesome deals as I liked to go look around when the flyers came. I bought cool holiday stuff, groceries, toys that regular prices were cheaper than Walmart, clothes, decor & most of that was cheaper than Walmart. We only have Superstore, Walmart & Target & Target got my business for being friendly & having great products & prices. It is sad to see people coming & shopping in there now & cleaning off the shelves at 10%. I worked at Zellers to the end & liquidation is liquidation starting at 10%. I don’t know what Canadians expected but I bet we’re screwed for getting other businesses to come in to our country. You can tell the people who have never worked in retail writing here, so thank you to those of you who actually know what they are talking about & are putting some facts in here.
With all the media hate on Target right now it’s really nice to see this article that brings some actual facts to the table, and showing how Target’s failure is hurting Canadians everywhere – that creditors list is just hellish. We’re so driven by consumerism in this society, we all want more for less, that we forget the common sense of how retail works. The people on the front lines, at store level, have NOTHING to do with the prices or the stock or the quality of the products, but they’re wearing the right uniform so let’s all have a go at them just so we can save 30 cents at the register.
Thank you for your humanity and clarity in this mess, and I wish the best for all of the people affected.
Well-written! My grandson started at Target when he was hired for set-up and will stay until the end, and is stressed about finding another job. But he he feels that loyalty to the company is important and will reflect well on a resume. He says that the customers are now rude and demanding, and there seems to be very little understanding from the General Public. The workers are finding displays in disarray as people paw through merchandise, and knock over displays in their rush. I have been to our local Target to pick him up and have seen nothing but courtesy from the staff.
I know how these employees feel personally, I was one of them I worked at Zellers and too had to go to work everyday, and keep a smile on my face. It is not easy so please take that into consideration when talking to these employees.
Well said! Thank you! The staff works hard enough and now even harder! When I see people toss things on the floor, or leave their full basket because they changed their minds, or just don’t care….it is the staff that has to tidy up and put everything back….the same ones that are losing their jobs! Be show respect people and show some compassion to these people…..it could be you next time!
If Target had been paying their bills in the first place, they wouldn’t be owing so much now. A small business does not get special consideratio when they go bankrupt, why should a big foreign corporation. Target bought Zellers from HBC and made all kinds of promises, cauused many Zellers employees to lose their jobs and didn’t open in place of all the stores that had been closed so do they really deserve our pity? What happened to the money from the sales made in the past two years? Shouldn’t they have been paying Revenue Canada and their suppliers from that? Did they send the money state side with the intentions of stiffing their suppliers and employees?
Target did not buy Zellers, they simply bought he empty buildings after Zellers closed. They offered interviews to ALL Zellers empluyees, no this did not guarantee them a job, but it was better than the nothing you are saying they got.
First of all, they didn’t buy Zellers from HBC, they bought the leases. Second of all, they lost money year after year in Canada. The business model just doesn’t work here. They can’t compete with Wal-Mart up here.
Learn to spell Mabel and shame on you!
Unfortunately, this venture bled money from the beginning. Capital expenditures, purchasing debt and operating costs outweighed revenues by billions of dollars. The move into Canada was a huge money loser, and has left Target U.S. nearly insolvent. This sell off will protect the corporation from bankruptcy.
What part of this was asking you to pity the corporation? Being respectful of staff and not pretending the liquidation is a freeforall is not the same as pitying anyone in the executive branch.
As for the rest, maybe it wouldn’t hurt for me to accept that they don’t understand the financial complexities here at all. “What happened to the money from the sales made in the past two years?” If that money had been some huge profit we wouldn’t be here right now.
I happen to agree with Mabel although her fact checking wasn’t completely accurate. I appreciate her noting how irresponsible the leader(s); and I use that word loosely; of Target were in this incident.
In business comes risk and I’m certain that every company and business that partnered up with Target knows this fact. How dare anyone suggest that, now that Target flopped in Canada, we should all help them pay their bills via buying their wares with minimal discount! You can try and force feed that to the masses but just know that not everyone will swallow it. I don’t have extra money to burn or pay other’s bills but if others do then all the power to them. lol
Target should have started their “discount pricing” at par with the US store prices. Target’s prices were brutally high in Canada comparison to the US Target and that says it all. I work hard for my money I want LIQUIDATION prices and I’m not going to apologize or feel bad for that! If some people want to pay too much, well I say let them but for me and the rest of us who want the deals we’ll wait for the liquidation prices. And really what do we have to lose by waiting, an item being sold out because someone paid more than it’s worth in the US store?
Under no obligation to, Target guaranteed an interview to any ex-Zellers employee who applied for a job with them.
Also, keep in mind that for a sizeable amount of these creditors, the amounts that they are owed are from monthly invoices. Target had been paying its bills to them on a consistent basis, and this was what was left to pay after they court filing. If you look at the creditor list, a staggering amount (in the neighbourhood of $3.5-billion) is owed to Target Corporation from Target Canada alone. Essentially Target Corporation will pay off all these creditors on Target Canada’s behalf, as it has been doing since day one.
I understand how horrible it is to go through the liquidation process and all that comes with it. My big issue was not the discounted price (only makes sense to start at 5%-30% off), my issue with Target is the fact that from day one walking into the store the shelves were always partially empty or they did not carry certain items as advertised, yet on the day the sales started the shelves at my nearest Target were so full of stock they had it stuff on the floor. Why couldn’t they offer selection like this, especially during the holiday season, when people asked for it and stated that it was one of the main problems with Target Canada? Where was all this stock before?
Stocking strategy changes a little bit when you don’t have a next season to plan for.
Target is simply emptying their distribution centres into stores now. No seasonal stocking strategies or flyers to plan for. At the store level, the teams are emptying their backrooms onto the sales floor and playing around with planograms to make everything fit. Common retail knowledge.
I Agree with you eric, I shopped at target many times and was always amazed about the empty shelves and thursday we went to two local targets and yes we where really amazed how many stuff they had and staff where putting lots more in. Why didn’t they do this earlier they had piles with tv’s ice hockey tables and much much more.
Very true, I went into my local Target yesterday to have a look (which I had stopped going to btw, because it was always a store full of empty shelves), and it was stock piled with stuff everywhere. I’d never seen it so full! Unfortunately, it was things like 1000 packs of toilet paper, and miles of bathing suits. Just emptying out their leftover stock.
As to this article, I’ve been part of two businesses that have closed and also worked retail back in my university days. I understand how hard it all can be, especially when a business is closing. But in my local Target, customers and staff were mingling, laughing, gossiping, talking about what was going on, etc. It was generally a good atmosphere, I felt welcomed. I’m not saying staff aren’t being treated badly at some point somewhere, there are always customers in retail who are jerks, but I didn’t see it.
And if someone is upset that customers are out there hoping to get deals during a closure sale, then they’re upset with the wrong people.
Some of their biggest debts are to the media companies and governments…. Interesting.
pfffft Sheri… a Liquidation sale is a liquidation sale. there will be no vacuum in the retail industry now that target is gone. they have been a disappointment to the consumer since they arrived in Canada.How do you feel about the big oil and gas company’s losing money cause gas prices are low?? The riggers and oil patch workers laid off are just as unemployed as the retail workers but maybe not so politically correct to mourn their jobs as you fill up your tank for less??
I honestly don’t even know how to comment on this as it has nothing to do with my original post.
Sheri, clearly in this article about Target you should have also discussed literally every other company or industry undergoing shrinkage (or growth) and how their situation compares to this one.
David – the comments are open so people can add to the conversation. Feel free to add in what I missed. This particular post was about the creditors and the staff. I can write another if you’d like and am open to other topics. Just let me know.
Sheri, I don’t think David was trying to be rude. I read it as a sarcastic joke to the last person’s comment.
Thanks Pam. David, my apologies for not understanding the context.
Sorry David. I’m bad at the sarcasm. Comments are coming in so quickly and I didn’t read yours right before I responded. I get it now.
My first thoughts are when they are also doing well in the USA, maybe they should just pay there bills in full in Canada, and take it as a loss, lesson as to there expansion, why should other canadian company’s ,ppl, staff loose out on a debt from a big corporation from there poor expansion, surely they have been doing this for a while.
It’s hard to pay bills when you are loosing money everyday. They are bankrupt after all, not just closing stores. As for the other companies, while it is sad, having a client go bankrupt is the cost of doing business. You can even insure your accounts receivable if you can’t stand the pressure. If they gambled it, it’s their own choice.
Extremely well written. You nailed it on the head. I’m glad you spoke of the associates losing their jobs and livlihood as many who are looking in from the outside have seemed to forget this fact.
I also work in the retail field and I agree that the general public can stand to be a little more respectful and caring when visiting these stores. Take a second when shopping and looking for rock bottom prices and say a kind word of encouragement to that individual in the red shirt who real needs it right now.
Thanks for showing the side that really matters,
Well written, I agree with your message, I wish more people could be more understanding and compassionate to their fellow humans. Put yourself in their shoes, and walk that mile I bet everyone would benefit from this exercise.
Well written post, thank you. More people should read it. When one has family employed by Target you have somewhat of an idea of what they are going through. Please don’t shoot the messenger. The front-line people are just doing their job. I have found the employees very friendly. Please say kind words not hurtful ones.
Thank you for this post. As a Target employee it means a lot to know that someone understands our struggles right now. In the 2 days the liquidation has been going, I have received more mental abuse than I have in my whole life. People constantly yelling at me because the prices aren’t low enough and I personally cannot lower them anymore. I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve heard “It’s your fault Target failed” and some said in a more offensive way. One man even came close to physically assaulting me because the printer he wanted was only 10% off and I couldn’t offer him a lower price.
What people are failing to understand is; we log into the registers with our employee numbers, EVERY single item we ring through is being monitored. So if we change any prices, that could mean we get fired and lose our severance.
It’s not all terrible though when we get those few people that understand and express their sympathy. Our regulars that will miss us as much as we will miss them. And to them I say thank you. Thank you for being the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
Are you sure you’re going to get severance?
Common misconception there is no severance bankruptcy exempts them from this and we have been given notice. What the trust fund guarantees us is a paycheque till May 16th if we stay around as long as they need us which could be up to that date or even after (in which case we only receive a top up if by some miracle we do not work more than our average week).
In Canada there are two types of severance, the one being offered by Target is called a working severance. which means you are given notice and are guaranteed pay until a certain date as long as you keep working for the company or if the company lays you off before that date. With Target that date is May 16th.
I use to be a faithful shopper/supporter of Target Canada, until today when I was clearly ripped off. I purchased several items on 06Feb2014 and one item in particular was – Pure Snack Treat item #878968000604, item price on the shelf is $4.99, with 10% off. When I got home, I noticed on my receipt the price rang up $14.99 with 10%off. I inquired about this incorrect pricing and was told there is nothing they can do, as you are in liquidation. I was not asking to return the item, I only wanted to be charged the correct price. This practice is stealing, and I was told they have to charge what the register says. I was purchasing other items today and again noticed higher prices coming up on the register at the sale price than what is posted on the shelf. An example of this is the Party Mix cat treats, shelf says $2.39 regular price with 10% off, register price is $2.99 with 10% off for a sale price of $2.69, higher than the regular shelf price and the cashier says they can’t do anything about it. Also, Easter products signed with 20%off, they are ringing up only 10% off. THIS IS WRONG!!!!!! Needless to say I did not buy these items as you are clearly stealing from your customers.
I understand the process they are going through, however, they still need to honour the customer service of retail and make good on the prices they are asking, Because of this I will not be supporting Target Canada any longer,
That’s not Target, that’s the liquidation company. as of Feb 05, Target no longer makes any decisions on pricing. and is no longer in control of prices.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that there is no supporting Target Canada any longer. In case you didn’t realize, the company has gone bankrupt and a liquidation company is now selling all of the product.
Target has not gone bankrupt and maybe as a consumer you should watch the prices coming up on the screens that are clearly pointing at you to make sure you are getting the price on the shelf…why is it always someone elses responsibility to look after you and as anonymous said too late to say you wont support us any longer…maybe if more people had instead of just hard timing us we could have made it.
Well technically, Target Canada is going bankrupt. Sorry to inform you! However, liquidation or not, federal and provincial price accuracy laws still apply! If you feel that you’ve been wronged, you should file a complaint with the relevent authorities against the LIQUIDATORS.
In Canada, most retailers abide by SCOP. (Scanning code of practice). This is voluntary, and there are no laws that require that pricing on the shelf match what is on the tag or sign. The register in retail is considered the point of negotiation. (I.e. I will buy this pair of pants, howuch will you charge me. . Payment is considered a binding agreement. Anything beyond this is considered good business ethics, which unfortunately in final sales liquidations tend to get tossed. Buyer beware.
Maybe, Just maybe the product was in front of the wrong label because it was put in the wrong spot……….Some people are savages and throw things everywhere and the staff just can’t keep up.
I find it hard to believe that an item was $10 more than the shelf price. And really, if that’s the case, why weren’t you watching the prices as items were rang in? I always watch the till when items are going through. You had every opportunity to say no, please take that item off. And when you got the total, did you not realize that it was more than you expected?
And you are actually wrong – Easter, Valentine’s and food products are 10% off. Sorry about your misinformation.
At the register, you should have noticed this error at the time of purchase, they could have rectified this situation had you of noticed this, they are not crooks, you are just not observant!
Thank you for this post . I to have worked in a company that folded. The top brass got special pay for sticking it out, but the rest of us waited every Friday to see who got the pink slip that morning . It was an awful experience . Heartfelt sympathy Feelings for the thousands of employees and the companies eating this debt load .
As a former Zellers employee, I know a lot of people who worked at Zellers and now work for Target. It rely sucks for the to have to go through this once again.
I understand the process 100%. What I don’t understand is why supervisors feel the need to belittle those employees that chose to work until the final closing day. My future son-in-law was treated with such disrespect that he “walked” two weeks ago! If supervisors are not going to support the front line workers than there’s more than a reputation at stake! Front line workers are doing their best to appease angry, irrate, patrons while maintaining the integrity of the Target name! Hats off to those who are working as a “team”! And to those who think they can complete the shut down process without those front line workers…GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Hi Sherry, I’m sorry your son had to endure this. I wonder though if your comment is a little general as it is now pointed at all supervisors and I’ve heard some really nice things about many of them. A couple supervisors shouldn’t bring all supervisors down right?
I am sorry that happened, but as a supervisor I can tell you that I (nor any other of my fellow supervisors/leaders) would ever do something like that. I have always treated my teams with respect and they gave it back to me.
Please don’t judge us all by the actions of a few. I personally spoke to every one on my teams about what they want to work and how I can help them until the end. I also am updating them on anything as I find out.
I admire anyone who wants to stick it out to the end. Best wishes to your future son-in-law, and I am sorry that he is getting that poor treatment.
First of all…thank you Sheri Landry for starting this blog in the first place. I’ve been reading the different entries for about the last hour….and it’s very interesting to see what others have had to say about Target closing its doors…..including the many comments from current and former employees of this organization. One thing is for certain….and there is a general consensus here….that it is not fair that the employees of Target should be ‘targeted’ for verbal, emotional and physical abuse. This kind of behavior is NEVER acceptable, however, if it was…it should be directed to big corporation Target!! Unfortunately, the executives of Target are not the ones on the front lines, receiving the sharp edge of humanity’s rudeness.
Sadly…but truthfully…this is generally practiced in most all big corporation. It’s always the front line that gets ‘pooped-on’…..and they’re always the least paid too. Been there….done that…working for ‘big’ corporation! :(
I work in a Mall where there is a Target store…and it used to be a Zellers store. There also used to be a former Target (Canada) store…and when Target USA flexed their ugly muscles and sued the Cdn retailer (ps…I don’t know much about the legal details on this)…they changed the name of the store to Designer Depot. Speaking of Designer Depot…this store is a huge rip off….and they have a ‘no return’ policy when you purchase goods). I’m not sure how they manage to survive in our ‘dead’ Mall. They must be a ‘write-off’ store for the chain…or something! :P
Personally…in the 2 years that Target has been opened…I have only gone in the store (maybe) 5 times. It seems that every time I went in there, I would come out disappointed…mostly because of their over-priced selection…or lack of…
So on Thursday when the liquidation sale started…I decided I would join the masses of people shopping for bargains. I didn’t see the fine print at first….I only saw 30% off…rather than the 10-30% off. While I agree with many other’s comments about ‘deal-seeking’ and the fact that there are many many other Cdn retailers who are creditors and will be hurting because of Target being unable to repay them…people should still be able to shop for a bargain….in a kind and friendly way. If a person isn’t finding ‘the deal’ they want….then move on!! As it was…I left the store with 3 items….2 of which I needed and would have purchased anyway. For the record…I could have purchased the deodorant at Walmart for less than Target, however, the 10% discount they gave me at the till, brought the price in line. The garbage bags were also more expensive than I could have purchased elsewhere….even at Canadian Tire, however, I was in the store…so purchased them. Bottom line….Target, was generally, not competitively priced, in my humble opinion.
I feel badly for the Target employees…especially the front line staff… who are losing their jobs….with uncertain futures ahead…and I wish them all the best of luck in whatever they move on to
The “canadian target” is a fabrication by Fairweather and appeared, miraculously, overnight once rumours of Target started to swirl. They closed a Designer Depot in my city and re-opened as Target Apparel, then quickly shut down again and became a Designer Depot. All in a space of less than 6 months. They were rightfully sued IMHO.
In the early 2000s, the trademark “Target Apparel” was acquired by INC Group (International Clothiers, Fairweather, Stockhomme, Designer Depot, etc.) in anticipation of Target Corportation coming into Canada. In 2011, on news that Target Corporation would finally expand, retail stores were opened up in the name of “Target Apparel” and INC Group went into a court battle with Target Corporation, ultimately getting settlement.
Target are a high profile victim of a change in buyer behavior. On line shopping is putting pressure on many retailers. We are in for significant shrink in this sector.
Thank you for this post. As the mother of two Target employees, I have been devastated by the demise of this great company. I have always been made to feel welcome when I stepped into a tidy, clean and friendly store…very different from the dirty rival where many times all I get is a grunt from a disgruntled employee. I have done a lot of shopping at Target over the last year and a bit and will be very sad to see it go. My heart goes out to the employees who have to face the multitudes of greedy and uncaring people looking for a bargain while they wonder what the future might hold for them. I am very proud of the Target associates I know who still show pride in their stores and do their best each shift to keep it looking as tidy as possible and to keep a brave face. I wish that the shareholders and Target US big wigs could have seen this shut down through the eyes of a mother and found a way to try to deal with the issues instead of cutting and running without trying to come up with some solutions that may have worked out in the long run. A very sad situation for 17,600 people plus their families…wishing each of you strength through the next few weeks and good wishes for the future. Thanks to all of you for making my shopping a happier experience for a far too short time.
Speaks volumes of Target’s research into the Canadian market – Zellers locations were neither prime and same could be said of the state of the physical buildings. Hard to imagine, is this day and age of information overload the execs never had the Walmart in Germany case study at business school or learned from the very well publicized failures of others. Hoping for a quick recovery in the Canadian labor sector.
I was actually excited to have a Target move into our area…, until I went into the store. Vacant shelves, half stocked shelves, half full racks, over priced, no high end brands in clothing or footwear like the USA.. It was extremely disappointing to say the least. Out of the 4 times I ever went to the Target store, I only purchased items once. I will say this; their staff were visible and extremely helpful and courteous. The store was always very clean and shelves and racks always appeared tidy and organized.
My opinion regarding their failure to thrive in the Canadian retail market…
– the hype outweighed the merchandise made available to the Canadian Target/consumer. Next time an out of country retail giant considers entering the Canadian retail market the Excutive Purchasing Merchandisers and Advertisers should attend the same board meeting and work together! ( I am a previous Merchandise Excutive for a ‘Still Exsisting Retail Giant’, I left to raise my 4 children)
The fall of Target is going to mean other big chain US retailers are going to think twice about coming into Canada. Some may see this as good news, others bad news. Only time will tell.
The problem is that Canada doesn’t have the population to support all these rivalling chain stores.
Walmart does well?
@Shawn, Not necessarily. The Canadian market still has potential for American retailers. They’ll just be wiser to enter gradually, rather than belly flop into the pool.
Great article. Target in the US should pony up to their responsibility as this is their company and they made the decision to come to Canada. They are worse than the people jumping ship. Theyre abandoning their own and their company. Shameful.
I was one of the employees who went through the liquidation of Zellers where I was employee for 23 years. In that time frame your customers and co-workers are not just that. They become family; therefore, from an employees point view the closer you get to the final date the more heartbreaking it is because even though you know you will see your co-workers the next day will you see you favorite customer.
Excellent read. Well said. More people need to see this post.
I agree. While it is nice to get some savings on some items, this loss affects a lot of people. Please be kind everyone.
I never understood why people were so excited that Target was arriving in Canada, but then again, most people have never shopped at an American Target store. People seemed to think that they would come here, and be competition for Walmart, and that has never been the case with any Target, Canadian or American. Walmart is considered to be a big box store, in competition with places like Costco, where are Target is considered to be a Department Store, in competition with stores like The Bay. I have been to Target stores in several states, Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio, just to name a few, and they have never been a cheap, reasonably priced option to shop at, for anyone with an income under 50k a year. We have homeless people dying in the streets, because of the cold, and having no place to go, here in Toronto, so if the worst thing that happens in your day, is the fact that you only got 10% discount, at some over priced department store, for crap you probably don’t really need anyway, then suck it up buttercup, and stop complaining. There are people in this world with real problems, and you probably aren’t one of them.
WalMart is in no way in direct competition with Costco, thats why they own Sam’s Club.
As someone who lives close to the US border, Target is fantastic in the US, and much more desireable to shop at than WalMart. The problem they ran into in Canada was not being able to taper the expectation that prices and product would be the same. It never is, but that doesn’t mean that Target didn’t have excellent products.
They launched too quickly, and weren’t stocked enough, and were never able to recover.
This is the part where you are wrong. Target and walmart are competitors in america. But there is a small difference. Target carries the nicer brands and higher quality products so their prices tend to be a little higher. We bring in around $40,000 American dollars a year and target is my go to store. They are usually decently cheaper than our discount grocery stores. I also buy all my children’s clothes there because I can get them for around the same price as I can buy them used. We don’t have the bay here but I can assume it’s equivalent if you’re calling it a department store. I would never consider target a department store. They are more an upscale box store. But several of their prices are comparable to walmart. Their stores are just cleaner, the employees nicer and the products of much better quality.
I agree with jay. I worked for walmart canada and the first thing were we taught in our orientation is that target is the biggest competitor in the states. not so much here, I shopped a lot in the states and target was my fave, but target Canada was in no way even close to the states stores and that is what people were expecting, too bad
People aren’t now suddenly supporting Target, they’re trying to buy their inventory. Aside from the people losing their jobs, Target closing is great, now let’s get rid of the rest of the American companies in Canada and someone contact whoever is in charge of HBC and let them know that closing Zellers and The Bay while keeping Home Outfitters open was their worst mistake. Anything at Home Outfitters could have been bought at Zellers or The Bay for less than half the price. Also, all of their money came from The Bay and Zellers. I don’t know what places you’ve seen liquidating their inventory, but every place I’ve seen that’s liquidating their inventory puts their inventory at around 50-75% off right away. Zellers may have started off at 10-30% off, I’m pretty sure it started off higher. They put out an announcement they were closing one week, by the next week they were completely empty and closed down.Telling people it’s going to be like Black Friday is the only reason Target had customers lined up out the door. People were expecting the sales to compare to Black Friday prices which they did not.
Zellers did start off from 10-30% off, I worked there, and now I work at target and it’s working the exact same way that zellers did during liquidation. There have been many stores around the area within the past 6 months closing here, and hey all start between 10-30%. Maybe where you are it is different but that’s how it seems to work I Canada and I don’t see why people are so upset about the prices.
Wonderful post, thank you for that. My 17 year old son works for Target and it is his first job. He is one of the employees that are sticking it out to the end due to the fact we live in a community with limited jobs and we have 2 universities in the community so he is going to be competing against those students to try to find a job. He was told that once the liquidators took control of the store that they are in charge of everything including the hours he works not Target so there for that means Target is no longer his boss. He doesn’t know if he will have a job till the end or if he is going to be told today don’t bother coming in tomorrow because the liquidators feel they don’t need him there any more. My Son not only is working trying to assist what customers come thru the door he is doing it not knowing if he will be there tomorrow and he is doing it with a smile on his face so PLEASE as a customer when you go to Target to look for your deals keep that thought in the back of your mind and be kind to the employees. It is not them making any of the decisions.
Incorrect information was given. The liquidator is NOT their boss at all and they do NOT have to answer to them ever. Hours are scheduled by the leaders and not the liquidators. They have NO say in anything other than merchandising products. That is it.
No one knows when it’s all going to be done. It depends on what people buy….and how fast.
Good luck to your son.
Actually Stacey was correct, the liquidator does control how many hours the leaders are permitted to schedule to the team members and can choose which team members to let go. The team members are now paid by the liquidation company unless they team member is let go, then the team member is paid by Target up until May 16th. Target Canada’s headquarters is now closed down so the stores answer to the liquidators.
Employees continue to get paid by Target Canada Co. through the support of Target Corporation. The liquidating firms are essentially only involved in setting prices and determining payroll hour allocation.
I hope that Team Members at Target really understand what the severance really is that they are being entitled to? I work in retail and have tried to recruit people from Target and all of them do not want to leave due to this so called severance. Is a job in hand not better then a working severance?
Hi Bill,
I think the issue here is that the Target Team Members are holding out hope that they will be terminated early and can take home a few weeks of trust fund pay while searching for another job or taking a vacation.
It seems American companies using the colour red are bad luck in Canada. First it was Target, now it’s Redbox Canada.
No Target wasn’t the first red store to lose in Canada, we lost K-mart fantastic store, never understood why they closed here.
I certainly didn’t feel that Target owed me rock-bottom pricing, but it was all a bit shady. I walked in and they’d already packed up and removed all the spring fashions. All the black eyeliner had been removed from the cosmetics department. I bought a pair of pyjama pants there recently for $8 and went hoping to get a second pair, but they’d been marked up to $16.99 and then given a 10% discount. Also, it wasn’t really “amazing” that their employees are continuing to work til the end – they ARE getting a 16 week severance for doing so.
I work for Target, its a 16 week working severance pay. Yes, if I get told my services are no longer needed next week I continue to receive a paycheque every two weeks until May 16, based on my average working hours going back 12 weeks from dec 27. Then its crunch time to find a job that will pay me the equivalent to what I make at target. Perhaps you should get your facts straight before spouting out garbage.
There is a mega misconception about the severance. It is a working severance for 16 weeks, which means that if their store stays open until May, they get nothing once the store closes. If their store closes right away then they get a severance. 3 of my friends were managers there and were laid off a couple days ago without cause and received nothing. This process has been a joke to all of the employees. No communication and next to no respect has been given.
My fiance works for target and its not severance, she has to work in order to get anything . Does that sound like normal severance for a job?
What is referred to as ‘severance’ is only ever pay in lieu of notice of dismissal. On Jan 15, Target Canada gave notice to all employees of dismissal effect May 30. If a store closes and employees are asked not to come work, THEN they are entitled to be paid until the May 30 dismissal date. Target Canada is within its rights to require employees to work until the May 30 dismissal date, but will be closing stores prior to that date as they wind down operations.
Jen there is no 16 week severance. It’s a guaranteed 16 weeks of pay beginning from January 25th. You must attend work to earn your 16 weeks, it is not a traditional severance package. I work for Target.
Just to clarify none of us are receiving a severance package other than the store manager,the SFT tech,the ETL of Logistics and the ETL of HR.Everybody else is in the same boat.If you decide to stay until the May 16th deadline or if they say your services are no longer needed then you continue to receive a pay check every two weeks.After the May 16th deadline we get NOTHING! Not a cent! If you don’t know the facts you shouldn’t comment!
Nothing has been packed up and sent away. That is impossible as theres nowhere to send it. No products have been removed unless there was a manufacturer’s recall.
Nothing can be marked up either as the pricing department has been shut down since the day after the announcement. All they did was put up the flyer. What you might have seen was something that was on a Temporary Price Cut. When the liquidators took over, everything went back to the original price then the discount is applied. Target can NOT set prices nor can they be altered at store level.
16 week severance is not totally true. We have to work for most (or all) of those 16 weeks so we are getting little, or nothing. It is a working severance.
Getting a 16 week severance and working through it is not severance…… it’s wages… So why would people work through this 16 weeks worth of wages? Isn’t severance supposed to get you through the time period wherein you hope you find another job before it runs out so you can live on something?? There’s got to be more to this “working through the severance period” than that!!!!! Up until now, I have never heard of such a thing, or maybe I am uninformed….
Thank you for posting this, I currently work at Target and it saddens me to see that people can be inconsiderate in this time. Yes, we are expecting people to come in and shop and get great deals but that still gives no right for people to come into the store and say or do mean things to the many employees who are trying to figure life out right now. We all will find jobs eventually but for the moment it is heart breaking for many of us (at least for the store I work at) to be leaving a job we really loved and enjoyed, I will miss my team and I hope that we are still able to connect with each other after all of this is over. Thank you for letting people know this information and hopefully things will be a little bit easier for Target employees in the weeks to come, hopefully.
So sad how these employees are being treated. Well at least the CEO got a $75million dollar severance, eclipsing the combined payout of all other laid off workers. HOW DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE?? Seems Target came to pillage Canada and as you wrote, will not be able to pay back the money it owes. Bankrupt yet still open in USA. Smells like Harper imo… Why isn’t he standing up for Canadians? Oh sorry my bad, he never did that in the first place. Corporations rule Canada :-(
16 week severance do people really know what that means?!
I am a Target employee and basically I am guaranteed 16 weeks of employment. If they require our services that long then we are forced to stay and do their grunt work, working harder and doing things we didn’t originally sign up for. In fact our Brand attendant stood outside in -30 weather holding a sign yesterday, I’m sure this wasn’t in the job description.
If they don’t ( which we are hoping is the case) then we will be paid an average of our hours worked x wage. Many of us will only be covered for the waiting period it takes to collect unemployment.
So if you think Target is being generous or that we are getting something for nothing….. Think again !!
Sherry, I really hope you clicked reply on the wrong message, because you just lambasted a man for saying that you should be getting paid more, that the ridiculous amount the CEO was paid for running the company into the ground should be significantly less, and that the responsibility for both situations lands squarely on the shoulders of the Harper government.
Johan, I happen to agree on all counts. And that those debts to charities and Canadian businesses, starting with small local businesses because they are the ones most likely to lose their shirts, should be paid off before the CEO receives a penny.
Thanks for pointing this out Sarah. These comments are coming in so quick. Do you mean me (Sheri), or a different commenter (Sherry)? I’m losing track.
I felt the same way when I heard the same comments as yours on the news last night….even Food Banks are creditors…and I cannot help but think that this is an american organization hurting canadians..I know you said to be kind but it would be time for american compaies to be kind to the rest of the world.
Wonderful post. Truly I was also saddened watching the news and realized that ‘this’ was news: the outrage of people that there were no deals to be had. Something is really wrong with us if these are the problems we wish to rant about.
The reason it didn’t make it is very clear, they were nothing like their American store – who m any of us have shopped at when in the US and thought it would be the same here. The prices were higher than Zellers and Walmart and after a few visits a lot of us didn’t shop there much. That statement is for people who are asking why people were not supporting the store before this. So I am a little confussed, we are not supposed to buy things during the bankruptcy sale? And should not buy something when it is deeply discounted – later down the road.
There is never any reason for people to be rude to others. Again I don’t understand why people would be that way, the sales staff didn’t do this – don’t want it to happen. That is not right and they should be able to walk away from the rude customers and have them kicked out.
I know employees who shopped elsewhere because of the pricing, lack of inventory…. so don’t be upset with the public for not “supporting” Target Canada. It’s not the public’s fault this happened either.
I laughed a lot at the “you didn’t support them” comments. It’s a giant corporation. They’re supposed to be able to support themselves.
First I would like to say I do feel sorry for all those who are losing their jobs, and I do not agree with customers being rude to the staff as they do not set the prices for the liquidation and they are doing their best during this difficult time. However as I read through the many comments I just couldn’t resist making a comment.
I think in the beginning when Target first arrived in Canada most of us went to show our support for this company, but when you walk into the store and see it is just a glorified Zellers with out rages prices on merchandise, and add the economy going to the wayside how could you expect anyone to support the store? It was a not hard to see the writing on the wall the moment you walked into the store it was gonna fail after all if Zellers couldn’t make how would anyone think Target would.
I wish the best of luck to the families who have lost their jobs but come on lets be real here it was the Titanic it hit the iceberg the moment it arrived in Canada and it finally took on too much water, the best part of Target in my area was the Starbucks coffee in the front.
People also need to remember that it’s not only Target Team Members losing their jobs. MANY of these large companies that Target owes money to are also having to lay off many employees, because they no longer have that contract to supply Target. My company laid off 40+ employees because of this, and just think the list of companies is 45 pages long… How many other people from those companies got laid off too? This effects a lot more then the 17000 direct employees.
To the employees still going in I feel your pain, but remind yourself things WILL get better and don’t let those small minded, selfish, ignorant people get to you.
What sucks is there going to be paying their American Target first.
I agree with sime of this, honestly feel that Target is once again pulling on the kindness and generosity of Canadians. Large companies have insurance in place. As well, their prices reflect such challenges. I have worked with a small business thru a bankruptcy and it is so incredibly difficult. Most small buusnesdness do not gave the same luxury In the end, what’s left the liquidators will off sell.
Something missing from this. Fortune Magazine put the value of the CEO’s total “walk-away” package, including stock options and other benefits, at $61 million US, including severance of $15.9 million.
Well said…being that I am a Target employee, I would just like to say thank you for showing some compassion, wish everyone had the same thoughts!!!
I feel for the employees of Canada that are losing their jobs however in the beginning if Target would have left the stores as Zellers maybe they would have had a better shot at their business! Many people were not happy that they closed all our Zellers stores so in the preverbial words of before “why fix it if it isn’t broke”!
Target had nothing to do with the closing of Zellers. Target simply took over some of the Zellers building leases after HBC made the decision to close Zellers. HBC and Target are two completely different companies.
Target didn’t close Zellers, HBC did. Target bought the leases and moved into what would be vacant spaces. Target owns none of the properties, trademarks, products or employees of Zellers/HBC. They did hire some former employees, but were under no obligation as they had nothing to do with their termination. It was happening whether Target moved in or not
Wow, finally someone who is making sense of the way things are being handled at target. I don’t understand how people can get upset over a sale. Why would anyone think that the product is going to be ” given away” I get so frustrated listening to people complain that the discount is so low, when did you ever see a going out of business sale start off with 50/75% off? Are people losing it? I take my hat off to the employees that stayed on to continue customer service in these tough times .I work in retail and I know how rude and annoying people can be. Please people think of those people behind the counter as your family members too. They are Just doing their job which is to serve you as a customer and to help make your visit to the store a happy experience not your sounding board for all your issues with the world. Respect people ! And God bless you all !
My son with the help of me got his job starting at Zellers in receiving until they closed…after target took over the leases…some of his supervisors got on at target…seen his resume …when he applied …hired him on the spot because I’m thinking if he and all most other employees …they liked their job …target employees are a great family…I hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel when they get there…good luck target employees in ur future where ever u go :)
I just wanted to say thank you. Being under a privacy restricted contract, it is nice to know that there is somebody out there that isn’t bound like we are, that can share the story from our side of it all without the restrictions. People don’t think of us, they only think of the inconvenience it puts on them. Or how crappy of a company we must have been to close up shop so quickly. I started with Target Canada almost 2 years ago before the store opened. I busted my ass day in and day out, put in more overnights and overtime (sometimes both in the same shift) just to make the store as clean and stocked as possible for guests, especially around the seasonal changes. I have worn myself out and I have injured myself just to make things good for them. I also just got started on the career of a lifetime. On January 13th I went on maternity leave only to wake up on the morning of the 15th to my cellphone ringing like crazy asking if I have seen the news all over Facebook. Imagine days before having your first baby you find out hey you no longer have a job to come back to. Your friends, and friends that are like family, will no longer be working with you. It is a tremendous loss and very heart breaking.
Target Canada and Target US are actually considered separate companies, that is why Target in Canada can claim bankruptcy while the U.S. Stores remain untouchable to creditors.
I think it’s sad what is happening they came in with way to many stores and did not wait to see the outcome before opening. I and several others use to work for target and help build the store it was proud moment. Then after awhile it was not all so nice. The team members,and management would all soon turn on each other and it would not be a pleasant place to work. It dad for the ones you did ended up making life long friends with because soon that is had your back. Now they are losing there job after working so hard to get to were they are in the company. It’s sad all the way around.
Don’t forget the pharmacy who have to pull out and alot of them are losing money or finding no place to go. The last store open three months ago in Winnipeg I don’t think there very happy with this either as the place was built for target.there are so many people being hit hard by this and so many unanswered questions…
I have been shopping at the local Target since it opened, however it was not the only store I shopped at but I have never favoured one store over another. It is too bad that the company made choices that – in hindsight – were not right for the way the Canadia population shops, and perhaps Target was bit overambitious. I will miss my location, as it has proven to be very convenient, and despite the prices on some things being somewhat higher than the US counterpart, I will miss the different options that were available. I truely believe that had Target been allowed to develop their presence in Canada a bit more slowly and methodically, the results would have been better for them as a company and us as consumers.
As for the workers, I have nothing but respect for those who have continued to show up for their shifts, knowing that no matter how hard they work or how big they smile – the day is fast approaching that the store will close and the job will be over. All the Target employees should hold your heads high, you have done your best and you all should be proud of the good work you have done and continue to do. I wish you all the best in your next endeavor, I am sure you each will move on to bigger, better and happier things.
Thank you, Sheri Landry, for sharing this article regarding the abysmal way that the Target Employees are being treated.
I have two daughters, both of who are working for Target in NS; they helped to set up the store from the beginning, and vow to work until the store closes. They have a strong work ethic, and I admire their resolve given their treatment. Some customers have been very understanding and patient–but many are downright abusive, rude, and exhibit deplorable behaviour.
I would find it difficult to work in an environment, where the customer either yells at, curses at, or throws product at me, which both of my daughters have had to endure in their work environment. The verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse I’ve witnessed is incomprehensible! I find it appalling that so many people have lost their ability to be civil to their fellow human beings! What has happened to people?
Sheri, I appreciate you sharing the facts that the liquidation prices, and circumstances surrounding Target’s closure is NOT in the control of the Target employees (members). Why do these unruly customers think that if they brow-beat the hardworking employees, that they will get their product discounted to the lowest possible price?
It’d be great if the rude customers would consider how THEY would feel, if they switched places with the staff and THEY were the employees, and THEY were having to deal with irate customers. How would THEY like to be treated, or have customers speak to them? I’m sure they would find the behaviour unacceptable, and would wish to be treated with dignity and respect.
In no way, or at any time, is it acceptable to use lewd and crude profanity to speak to others. Haven’t we all been raised with better manners than that!? What happened to practicing the Golden Rule? PLEASE, TREAT OTHERS THE SAME WAY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED!!
I would like to thank the Target Canada Employees who have chosen to continue working until the store closes its doors. It must be a very bittersweet feeling–knowing that you are losing your job, but continuing to be loyal to your employer and customers to the very end. I applaud you for your tenacity in facing the many challenges ahead.
Best of luck in your future endeavours. Cheers!
If Target is not closing ALL their stores (which they are not, only Canadian stores) then they should NOT be allowed to declare bankruptcy, in my personal opinion…
They were set up as completely different companies. One cannot be liable for the other.
Actually, target canada and target us are two sperate companies, that’s why they could declare bankruptcy in Canada and walk away Scott free. I agree with you though.
Target Canada is closing all their stores, that’s why they’re declaring bankruptcy. Target US and Target Canada are not run by the same people. In this case the US stays the US and Canada stays Canada. There’s a fine line between the two countries and that’s why Target Canada can declare bankruptcy.
Target US and Target Canada are separate companies. US is the parent, but in order to open in Canada they needed to create a Canadian business, this is the one that failed. Target Canada is bankrupt and will not continue to run. Target US is different. The same thing goes for WalMart, Blockbuster and other US/Canada companies. They run separate from one another outside the name and business model created in the beginning.
Target Canada is a seperate company than target in the states. they do have the same policy’s and run like an amarican target though.
Sadly, they are two separate companies. I think it sucks too, because Target US is the one who made the decision to close Target Canada. I wish the creditors could go after them, but they cannot.
I loved target and shopped there weekly. I live in a small town and the selection at this store will be missed. I have read the comments but I am wondering, would they prefer us not to buy in the liquidation, comments like buying those deals are at a cost to many peoples livliehoods.
It is very sad that another 17,000+ are losing their jobs. I was one of the ones from Zellers that after 30 yrs lost their job. And I know how it feels. The biggest crime here is that Target has declared bankruptcy, which means that the suppliers that supported them coming into Canada are depending on you to buy at the least discount so that they can recoup their costs. These are Canadian suppliers , friends and families. We all want a great deal but at what cost? This must be a lesson learned for future businesses coming into Canada or we as Canadians will have to pay the consequences. Please remember that the sales clerk or cashier that is serving you during these liquidations that they are also human and have lost more than what you are paying for….
I am a Team Leader at Target, and let me tell you I have 20 years of experience working in customer service and Target by far is one of the best companies I have ever worked for. It is a shame that after only 2 years they are pulling out, they made some bad decisions when they came to Canada but that doesn’t change the fact that 17600 of us are all losing our jobs and being treated unfairly by the guest who are acting like volchers. Where were all of you when we needed your support, now thanks to the lack of support the other big American retailer has no real competition. This process is hard on every single one of us and none of it is our doing.
For you to blame the lack of customer support is remiss…..The best company you have ever worked for seems to treat their managers and team leads fairly (and give them fulltime hours) but from there on down most team members have to beg for hours. The expectations of the floor staff from higher up became unrealistic as we were expected to do more and more with less and less staff/hours. I think we need to remember that our anger is misdirected. This corporation is not stupid, they new exactly what they were doing, they have everything tied up tighter than a drum and they will walk away leaving 10’s of thousands of Canadians holding the proverbial bag. I loved my job and loved my team members and they played on that to squeeze every last drop out of me til I just couldn’t accept it anymore. I would ask team members not to be mad at the consumer and I would ask that the consumer not be mad at the Target employees. The anger and frustration should be rightfully directed at Target the corporation.
I’m sad to see Target leaving Edmonton. I was a big fan and always happy to shop their great products and deals. Unfortunately it always comes down to money. I am in education and my husband is in health care and it’s the same way. The money outweighs the good of customers, students, patients and employees…always! Our society has become so enthralled with making a buck that even a discount big box company can’t make it. This is frightening! I hope all the friendly employees I’ve encountered at Target have a Plan B and I think we should all be thinking what our plan B will be as a result of this. We are all replaceable to corporations…service industry or professional…
I too feel bad for the soon to be unemployed Target employees, especially if they are putting up with rude, ignorant shoppers.
A couple of points I’d like to make after reading the other comments:
Many others have previously lost their jobs, ie, Zellers and there wasn’t the outcry for them. And yes, social media was very much around then.
Your comment Sherry about nowhere do you mention making anyone feel guilty for shopping for better deals wasn’t exactly true. Perhaps not out and out, but there is a “tone” as in “is it still an awesome deal…”
If no one shops at the liquidation, then those employees would be losing their jobs earlier. Also, those shopping hoping for better deals may be the same ones that would other wise spend their money else where. One can’t fault the consumer.
As for me, Target Canada unfortunately never really were very competitive in comparison to Walmart (where I personally refuse to shop at) or Superstore, for example. I shopped only occasionally at Target because even though I liked the store, I didn’t much care for their prices. Also, the whole breach of info thing was surely the beginning of the end :( Just a few thoughts, such as they are.
Good luck to the Target staff
I am a team member of Target and it has been a PLEASURE to work with the most AMAZING TEAM Ever !! Please be kind !! Its NOT only about the sale !,
I too am a Target employee and I came away from work yesterday (Thurs) absolutely ashamed of the people of my town. We had the most rude, mean, greedy, ignorant bullies in our store treating us like dirt. Obviously these were not our regular customers. These were the people who never supported us before but now they come like vultures over a corpse trying to instill more harm. As was stated, it is NOT the stores that are dictating the prices and discounts. It is a liquidator answering to a judge. The trauma and stress me and my fellow team members are going through is intense. We love our jobs and we are a family that is being ripped apart. What if it was you or a family member or friend losing your job that you or they love? Would you like to be treated the way many of you have been treating the Target team members across Canada? Think about it.
Three provinces are left off that list, actually. Let’s be honest, if you are shopping with a full conscience, you are likely trying not to buy unethically made crap from China from a Walmart with a different name. Business sucks, often, and this article is great but it is not the public’s job to try and help big business be less of a douchewad by paying more for overpriced plastic. Get your 95% off and make a point to go to some of these smaller businesses and support them outside of target. Indeed if all did, there would be less demand for big box stores to take over your community in the first place.
Good point.
My apologies Amanda – I meant out of the provinces where Target had locations, all of them are on the list. But thank you for checking it out.
i know a handful of people that left another big box store to work for Target. The reason mostly given was that the former employer mistreated their employees and the stress was almost unbearable. Not to mention the pay ( or the lack thereof).
It’s very unfortunate that Target was unsuccessful in Canada. I have heard nothing but positive statements from Target employees as to how they were treated by the company. Now if other retailers that are successful could only take that page from Targets book and apply it to their associates, perhaps we could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Oh Canada!
I worked there too. You had good managers and you had …..ruthless managers. Most of the good managers…..disappeared. They were either escorted out the back door or quit because they couldn’t stand the policies and the way that lower team members were treated.
Hi there, thank you for explaining the process of what is happening with the pricing. I am an ex employee of Target. I chose to leave as I believe that the company was not whom they made me believe they were. I have worked in large retailers for a very long time. Maybe 30 years. I knew in my heart that one day target would fail however, I never would have guessed this quickly and the whole operation. I have many friends that still work for the company and I had wanted some of them to go find other jobs because they are fantastic people who worked very hard only to be treated, let’s say….unfairly. Finger pointing and lies were a common everyday management trick that was used to make sure that “they” were not found to be wrong. I am lucky to have seen this and made my own choices. I feel for my friends and hope that the shoppers would be a bit more understanding to the situation but after day one reviews, I know that true colors of greed will win out. Stay strong my friends.
This is an absolutely true representation of the way it was. Finger pointing and lack of accountability from management….I was there. I saw some good management leave or told to leave because they had compassion for the team members.
I have never worked at target, but I have worked retail. I can’t imagine what the team members are going through. I’ll bet many of the people running in for the sales never shopped at target before.
I love target in the US and shopped frequently at my local target.
I’m sorry you guys are losing your jobs and I probably won’t shop the sales. You won’t benefit, and I don’t want to be a part of that.
ummmmmmmmm…….I am sorry you guys are losing your jobs and wont shop the sales, but I will shop Target USA give me a BREAK! you people that shop USA are ruining ALL businesses in Canada! And if Target Canada would have came in with the proper promised “USA” deals they would not be in the position they are now……do not feel bad one bit, The folks out of a job will get EI and before you know a company that knows how to run a business will take over the locations and ALL will have a job.
I am one of those workers in the Target store and it is hard for all of us to come in and do a job, that isn’t going to be there anymore. On the top of my list is to say Thanks to the support of the dedicated guests that came to our store. We are all still trying to keep a smile on our faces, but some of the time it is very hard. It is frustrating for us all when people complain to us and blame us for the prices and the new regulations put on the items in the store. Again it is not the staff nor Target anymore it is all in the courts hands and the liquidators hands. All I ask of you all is to smile back at the staff in the stores and say Thank You to us for always being there for you as a strong Canadian team of workers.
Aaaah! To those people rushing into the stores to get something for nothing with no regard or loyalty to the name “Target” think about this also. Not only are thousands of Target employees soon out of work, but so are many thousand other spin off jobs. Your neighbor who used to delivery bread there, or deliver dairy, meat and produce. To the workers that go in at night and clean the premises. What about the Canadian suppliers that have now lost revenue and will have to begin lay-offs also, I am one of those people who inadvertently have lost work hours due to Target closing. I for one am very sad this has happened and will miss my services to the stores and the exceptional employees I was so honored to meet and work with. I wish you all the best of luck as we all struggle with this.
Excuse me but do not give me the bleeding heart sob story, Target Canada made a deal with Sobey’s another USA owned company to bring in all of there grocery merchandise IT WAS NOT your next door Neighbour, it was a multi million dollar company that supplied them read up! I feel bad for anyone out of a job but Target Canada did this to them selves and screwed the Canadians!
Just a note on this. I believe that Sobeys is and always has been Canadian owned and was founded in Nova Scotia.
You are 100% correct. Sobeys is all Canadian owned by the Sobeys family in Nova Scotia. Their head office is based in New Glasgow NS. Terry here should validate his/her sources before making weird uninformed accusations.
You are correct. Sobeys is Canadian, and it started here in NS.
Since when was Sobeys American?!?!! Get your info straight. God damn.
This is bang on! I worked as a manager at Consumers Distributing when it went bankrupt and it is certainly not a pleasant time. The are far too many people that are just downright rude to the staff that are still there working, they want everything for nothing and they have no concern for the thousands of people that are affected.
thank u for posting this I work for target I am one of the 17600 people loosing there job I touched me because people actually care
ummm maybe if target hired zellers employees instead of saying ‘we don’t want to be associated with zellers” they wouldn’t have FAILED!!!!!
You know nothing about retail or have any common sense for that matter, please keep your comments to yourself.
Thanks
The rest of the world
You’re part of the problem. Kindly opt out of the Internet.
They did in my city. I recognized faces when Target started. I feel particularly bad for those who are going through this a second time.
Zellers employees were welcomed to apply for jobs and even went in ahead of people that didn’t work at Zellers… a handful of them were hired on at many of the Target stores, so I’m going to have to go out on a limb and guess that you were probably one of the Zellers employees that didn’t get hired.
For what reason I don’t know, but maybe your past “work ethic” or perhaps your poor attitude, as shown in your post here, is what caused you to not be hired.
Please take your attitude and check it at the door next time you post about other people losing their jobs. Just because you think something to be right doesn’t make it so, and sometimes your “opinion” should be kept to yourself.
When I wrote my online resume for target 2 years ago, their was a question asking wether or not I have worked at Zellers prior to the closing. I actually work with a few ex-Zellers employees. Therefore, that is a false statement.
Thank you so much ,we need more of people like you,presenting the reality,you made my day as an executive at Target ,I see and support my group every day,they need those grateful noted like yours thank you again. Xx
executive at Target , $$$$$$$$$$ you will be taken care of my sons GF will not!! she also works there!
With all the thoughtless, selfish snarkiness I read on social media and most content providers these days, it’s nice to see some uncontrived humanity and empathy now and then. Thank you- we desperately need more of this.
Thank you, Sheri, for telling the real story behind a failed business. I am currently in the middle stage of closing a retail business and changing my focus to web-based sales. Closing a store is hard. There are many things to do that are not pleasant such as laying off your employees, explaining to your customers while trying to keep emotionally in control, and dealing with the competitors trying to pick your bones before you’re actually dead! It’s different for me as I’m changing my business plan and not completely closing, but the emotions are real, the nerves are raw and their are real, live human beings that are affected by every decision made. Your suggestion to be kind to the remaining staff who have chosen to stay till the end is, sadly, difficult for a great many people who feel entitled to abuse and mistreat people who are already down. I hope they are able to find jobs and move forward with grace. Target was the name of the company not an invitation to hurl abuse.
I feel terrible for these people, I honestly do. And I will miss shopping at the stores. I just don’t understand why everyone is standing up and protecting this workforce in particular. There have been many other companies that have been in the exact same situation, and currently are, and yet I have not seen this kind of empathy for them. Some of those companies had long term employees, not just working somewhere for under 2 years. Just seems bizarre.
I think there is always sympathy for the employees. We’ve just become more social and now when this happens, people can reach out easier and share their stories and empathize easier.
Coworker of Danielle’s right here! I am (as evident by my first sentence) a team member of Target. I unload trucks and while I try to be as forgiving as I possibly can, I am finding it difficult. Guests need to ultimately, like you’ve stated, to stop abusing us. This is not our fault; and right now there arepeople in my store facing emotional crisises; the abuse has been triggering for some.
I want to say thank you for being one of the few who expressed sympathy. Its people like yourself that make it a little easier. So thank you again!
Thank you for voicing this Bethany. We all need to carry around our ‘mirror’ and take a good look into it before we speak.
Thank you thank you thank you for writing this it made my day and I really needed that! I currently work at a Target store in Winnipeg where I am the Team Leader of Guest Services. I can’t even tell you how insane my store was yesterday and yes sales were thru the roof way over what was expected. So obviously many people were quite happy with the sales. People still want to find all the negatives about this situation but to me this is not only my means to pay my bills this is my second family. I work with great people who all thought we would be with this company for a long time and we have to mourn that loss. It’s not easy going in and having people swear at you and call you names and tell you how much Target sucks. I will stick this out to the end because of the people I work with. I was there building this beautiful store from the ground up and I will be there to see it empty once again. That was not in my plans and people need to remember this is more then a store to all of the employees that work there.
Very well put Michele. I admire all of the staff that are still giving it their all. Truly amazing.
Target USA should be liable
They share the profits they should share the lost
There account were open with the Canadian Suppliers due to there American affiliation .
It’s a big loss for the employees.I hope that Canadians will stop buying from Target in the state.
Sadly they are not liable. I think since they had all the say in pulling the plug on Target Canada, they should be liable for all their debts.
You have no idea how much I appreciated every word that you expressed. I currently work for Target in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is such a stressful time and people are forgetting that we, believe it or not, are humans too. We come into work every day with a smile on our faces to serve our guests. Since The Liquidation was first announced, I, as well as almost every one of my Team Members have been called horrible names, been sworn at, followed by many many “I told you so”‘s when they came in just to tell us that they knew Target wouldn’t work out. Its hard to hear people tell me to “go back to my Country” even though I am not in charge of the company. I am getting paid minimum wage to be a punching bag. i have worked for Target Canada since July, 2013. I helped put the shelving up, stocked the shelves, and create a family with my employees and I can promise you that, even though being a “Minimum-wage-punching-bag” seems horrible (it is), its worth it. I love working for Target, and even though I often get belittled, it is by far one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. They provide us with regular meals/snacks, they hire people based on personality, not by looks (I work with someone with bright blue hair, as well as someone in a wheelchair). Target is always donating, helping the community, and feeding the community. Their is almost always a charity that Target is involved in. People need to stop bashing the employees for “Targets fails”. If you are still reading this, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this. You clearly are an amazing person who is isn’t one of the people who try and bring my day down with harsh words or negative comments. Thank you, Love a mistreated (But still smiling) Team Member.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment Danielle. I hope this post and the comments included here help people to see that this liquidation and subsequent closing is affecting our fellow Canadians and will cause a huge ripple effect that might be easier to swallow if we all show some empathy to the staff and creditors. Take care.
Danielle, the example you continually set is truly fantastic!! Keep on smiling and doing your best, perhaps it will catch on! Miss you. 3731 Forever! V
I’m one of those employees that is finding it hard to even go into work. The so called severance doesn’t exist and I havea family to support i work several jobs and this was my main one. I can’t figure out how or when I’m supposed to go job hunting when i work all day and all night. And only to scrap by on minimal pay. So i find myself missing shifts because i need to eventually fill the gap that target will be leaving.
Thank you for your comment Ela. I hope you will be able to find something to replace this lost income soon.
Thank you so much for this article. My boyfriend is one of the 17000 people losing their jobs, and it is so sad for all of them. Many of the staff are losing a job they absolutely loved, with co-workers who feel like family. Everyone needs to remember that the money they are saving on that toaster or T-shirt is coming at a very high cost to a lot of families across Canada.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Kelly.
As a fellow Target Team Member….I share in your sadness, pain and uncertainty. Each day it becomes increasingly harder.
I have a thought for all those ‘deal seekers’…
Remember…that ‘great deal’ represents the end of many people’s income and the beginning of their journey with uncertainty, stress and worry.
As you open your wallet to pay for that ‘deal’…remember…many Target employees will soon wonder…will there be money in their wallet when they need it.
Please have some empathy and compassion.
Thank you for sharing your comment Laurie. I need to share that I am not a Target employee. This post was just my thoughts after seeing the comments and news coverage after the first day.
No worries but thanks for the clarification. My post is for the many many Team Members who have commented here in response to your thoughts.
Let’s be brutally honest. Working in customer service often sucks at the best of times so when I read reports of people being rude in store I think it’s completely ignorant. There is no reason for that at all. I feel torn going into the store now with my kids because they also ask me – does the cashier know the store is closing? Yes, actually they do, honey. Oh, is she sad, they say. It’s a sad thing. We feel sad for the workers too. I mean I think that’s empathy, right? My kids feel it when we go in the store and they are KIDS. Too bad some people lack empathy at all. I wish Target had made a go of it here. I liked the store a lot. I had several favourites there – the girl’s clothing section was one of the favourites I had found at any mall in town. Service was always pretty good there actually so it’s a real shame the business approach didn’t work. I talked to an analyst here who believed they expanded too fast, and their supply chain had issues and that they opted for poor locations in too many instances. It’s a really unfortunate series of factors that led to the demise of Target Canada.
It is a series of unfortunate events. Thank you for your comment Paula.
I feel sorry for the Target employees who will be out of a job and I apologize for my fellow Canadians who have treated you rudely and arrogantly.
I also feel sorry for the creditors who will suffer financially because of Target Corporations foolish and greedy ( some would argue criminal ) business decisions ( which were fully supported with our tax dollars through our Federal government ) .
I do not , however , feel sorry for Target Corporation and I refuse to be made to feel guilty for this Company’s devious actions , as you seem to be implying . This very large , and profitable American Corporation has played it’s Canadian neighbours for fools , has reneged on its debts , and cares not a bit about it ,
And you are somehow implying that this is all somehow our fault .
Target Corporation should be held financially and morally accountable for its actions, and so should our Federal Government for encouraging and financing these devious actions and allowing this Corporate Entity to then withdraw unscathed . Yer Welcome !!
Hi David, Can you please copy and paste the exact sentence or phrase here where I have indicated that I am implying that you should feel guilty about Target and how this is your fault? Not once have I mentioned anything about Target being innocent in this as this post is about the creditors and the staff. I am sorry if you took it to mean anything else than it was. Thank you for your comment.
Hello,
Really glad you brought this to light. The first knee jerk reaction was oh sales! But then almost immediately I thought, this is an opportunity to reach out to those affected. I am part of a pretty successful direct sales family that specializes in flame less candles. It’s sales but it’s customer service based; in which those that are still on board a sinking ship prove their worth by not abandoning. It’s awesome to see so many have their hearts into it, even though they are shattered currently. But the best part I saw was how Sears decided to offer employment opportunities to those that were affected by this. Yeah some greedy people will attempt to bully to better sales, but there really are more kindhearted souls out there then some might think. Sending lots of love to those that have lost their jobs, and sending positive thoughts that this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the road. It just means it’s time to hop of the bus and start a new journey. Best of Luck to those that will encounter new and dare I say even better opportunities that are bound to happen :)
Thank you for your comment. I do hope Sears is able to hire some of the many affected.
Sears is soon on it’s way out too.
Target Team Member here.
Thank you for what you have said. It really sums it up quite perfectly. I hope people see how they are acting and change their rude and demeaning attitudes because it really isn’t helping. Every day I go into fighting back tears and four hours later by lunch time I melt down and cry my eyes out. I am never alone when this happens. The only benefit to this is that I have people who know what I am going through but most days it isn’t enough, especially when perfect strangers remind me of my job loss and complain to me that the sale price is not low enough for them. I know a lot of people probably think this isn’t a “real job” so we shouldn’t be upset but I’m here to tell you a lot of us are. I set up the store, I am apart of the team that loads the shelves, and I am one of many who have been there since the begining and have formed a family in my store.
Please keep spreading this message and remember we have lost our job, a part of our family, and we have absolutely no control over the sale prices.
Hi Chelsea. Thank you for your comment. We can all use a little more understanding in our lives and I’m glad this post has been showing another perspective. Take care and I hope more compassion is shown for everyone who is there. And… it IS a real job. You guys are working harder than most in retail right now with the added liquidation.
Hey Chelsea! Fellow TM here. I am a TL in Ontario. I think we all feel the same way. It sucks and we do not deserve to be treated with any disrespect whatsoever. I gave a pep talk to my teams the other day telling them that they are not to take any abuse and are to call me or another leader if someone is assualting them in anyway. They worked damn hard and deserve respect.
Good luck in the final weeks and remember, while there are 133 stores out there, we are all family. Each store is one branch on the giant family tree. We will always support each other and have this bond for the rest of our lives. Hang in there kiddo. :)
Thanks for commenting Krissy. It is wonderful to read everyone’s comments about belonging to a family. Take care.
Unfortunately, the team members, the lowest paid on the spectrum, are the ones that this is affecting the most. It’s horrible how many lives this is affecting.
For anyone out there who feels that working for minimum wage isn’t a “real job”, just remember….. Someone has to do it. Maybe the smallminded snoots should walk in our shoes. ( in high heels preferably).
On behalf of myself and thousands of Target team members I thank you for your explanation and kind words. I just wish some of our guests would read and understand me you do. Instead they verbally and physically assault us. All we want to do is have our jobs back and Target to give us a fair chance. 2 years isn’t enough. Walmart took longer.
Thanks again to you and many others for your support. It means a lot.
Thanks for your comment Stevie. I wish there was more time for everyone. Always remember that the actions of some do not reflect the reactions of all. Take care.
Exactly. I hope everyone getting upset about the size of the discounts will remember that the minimum wage employees (who are also losing their jobs) so many people are being rude to have nothing to do with it. In fact even the higher ups don’t at this point, the liquidators are in complete control of all pricing. I’ve heard far too many reports from friends working there that people were being nasty to them, just because they can’t now change a price to whatever the customer decided it was worth, all prices are set in stone by the liquidators.
Thank you for your comment.
This is all so true. Ever since the closure was announced, I have felt absolutely terrible for the staff.
My husband went through a similar layoff (albeit not retail) and had to continue to go to work every day for two months, knowing full well that he wasn’t going to have a job at the end of it. These people have families, and bills to pay just like the rest of us. Let’s not leave our morals at the door…
Exactly Jill. Thank you so much for your comment.
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Thanks Lindsey.
VERY well said!
Thanks Kate.
This is a great article! Full of great points for those grumbling to keep in mind! I went yesterday and I was very sad at how people were complaining and treating the employees. And it didn’t help that one of the escalators was down making it quite fun navigating the store levels.
That is too bad that happened. Thanks for the comment.