So please look to my post a page or so back and tell me why it is perfectly acceptable to many if one shops at Target but not Walmart. There's a great article on it I linked to on my post. I am genuinely puzzled. (others who shop at Target buy not Walmart please feel free to chime in too)
Target as Bad as Wal-Mart? You Decide | Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace | AlterNet
It isn't that Target is 100% good and Wal-mart is 100% bad (more like 75% good and 99% bad), it's that if you MUST shop at a big box store, Target is far better in a wide range of categories.
1) Target stores are more attractive and blend into a community better - they typically are smaller than a Wal-mart, have landscaping, and maintain their space to avoid becoming an eyesore. Target will move into an existing building and renovate it instead of always building new - even though this is a very expensive practice. They work with local guidelines and radically change the architecture and layout of their stores to fit into an area.
2) Target is one of the most philanthropic companies in the US, gives a minimum of 5% to charity (vs. less than 1/10% at Wal-mart), provides long term housing for families of St. Jude patients, and has a credit card program where you can donate to a local school (more than $150 million to date). They donated $6 million to help renovate the Washington Monument.
During disasters they not only contribute millions in dollars and goods, they spearhead fundraising efforts, and volunteer their stores as command centers for relief efforts.
They started their own forensics laboratories to combat crime in their stores that are so successful they are in great demand by a wide variety of law enforcement agencies - pro bono of course.
In addition to their partnering with United Way and the Salvation Army for holidays, they are also the corporate sponsor of many events, including providing free or reduced admisison to a variety of museums.
3) Target employs more than the national average of minorities in all jobs and an even higher percentage in management. They seek out vendors owned by women and minorities. Target gives domestic partner benefits and was named one of the "100 best companies for working mothers."
Target partners with vendors and suppliers instead of taking them over.
4) Target refuses to sell firearms or tobacco products and will only sell children's toy guns if they cannot be in any way mistaken for a real gun.
5) In addition to not gouging consumers for items shipped to our military as beachmouse posted, Target does not charge service fees or have expiration dates on its gift cards.
6) Target is much more environmentally friendly. Their stores only use LED or flourescent lights, have low flow restrooms that use 30% less water, have recycling programs (ranging from cardboard and hangers to ceiling tiles and shopping carts), and certain stores have green roofs/roof gardens or run solely on wind power (all Oklahoma Targets). Target is working to reduce their use of plastics, switching from PVCs to safer products, making gift cards from corn resin, and phasing out plastic wrapping of its merchandise.
I wish Walmart would buy out Target. I just think it would be cool to see big blue balls out in front instead of red ones.
Giant blue balls are the only benefit I could see from such an arrangement.
P.S. I don't want a Target in Sowal either!
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