I hate shopping at Wal-Mart. Maybe I'm a snob but Wal-mart always seems to be filled with a lot of the hoi polloi that I typically like to avoid. In my grouchy opinion, shopping shouldn't be a cultural experience but at Wal-Mart it often feels like it.
On the other hand, I'm an avid Target shopper. I'm not really sure why the two stores seem so different. Much of their merchandise is the same. Maybe the khaki and red outfits of the staff don't seem as garish as the electric blue vests at Wal-Mart. Maybe it's because the aisles at Target aren't jammed with extra merchandise, making it much easier to navigate the crowds. I don't really know why I prefer Target but I do.
My wife prefers Wal-Mart. I think it's because the prices are a little lower or maybe it's because of that cute smiley mascot. You know, the guy that's always going around slashing prices.
Apparently, Target decided this was the year to set themselves apart from other retailers by deciding to ban the Salvation Army bell ringers. As Hugh Hewitt notes,
Harvard Business School will soon have another case on its hand of a management's failure to defend its brand in the aftermath of a serious mistake of judgment.Target's reasoning has something to do with not wanting to choose between charities and there's also some vaguely mentioned concern for consumers. A good story explaining the situation can be found at The Boston Globe, Retailer discord rings over charity's bells.
I'm a little ambivalent about this decision. The Salvation Army is a good organization and I've even volunteered as a bell-ringer. (although not at a Target store) However, I tend to avoid the bell-ringers myself when I'm shopping. I hate feeling guilty for not throwing my change in the kettle. Instead, I avoid eye contact and just keep on walking. (Coincidentally, that's the same policy I use for street beggars in Chicago.)
But...because of Target's decision a lot of people will have a much less merry christmas this year. While I don't feel the animous of those at dontshopattarget.com I guess I'll have to re-consider my choice of stores this christmas.
For what it's worth, I wrote an email to: guest.relations@target.com to voice my displeasure of their decision:
Every year I do most of my Christmas shopping at your store. This year I might have to re-consider. I don't appreciate your decision not to allow the Salvation Army to seek donations at your store and I'm encouraging you to re-evaluate that decision. You see, there are many stores where I can get the same junk that I usually buy at Christmas and I don't need any excuses to go somewhere else.
To make matters worse, Wal-Mart is welcoming the Salvation Army bell-ringers with open arms. Perhaps I can do all my shopping online this year.