Target has always been one of my favorite retail stores. They are a company that truly knows how to tailor and market for the people. Most people know what Target is, and that it stands for good deals, and a store that carries almost anything. There are different departments, and some Targets even have small food courts or even Starbucks. From the outside, Target has a great reputation. Most people who shop at Target love it and will go multiple times, but does Target conduct business in a socially and ethically responsible way? I believe they do.
According to investopedia.com, “Big-box retailer Target Corp., also well known for its social responsibility programs, has donated money to communities in which the stores operate, including education grants.” (investopedia.com). Target is known for their many programs that help people around the communities, and they like to show that they work for the people. If you go on Corporate Target’s official website, the very first page shows Target employees talking with customers, other employees, and even shows them around the different communities. Target is also really big on the environment, and will donate funds to environmentally friendly causes. Speaking of social responsibility, “Target commits $10 million and ongoing resources for rebuilding efforts and advancing social justice.” (CorporateTarget.com). Target also has donated funds to promote racial equity.
Target’s main socially responsible goals are to empower teams, serve guests, foster communities, and design tomorrow (which is their environmentally friendly programs). Target believes in helping to maintain the environment so they can help serve generations to come.
In doing my research, I could not find anything regarding Target being in trouble for behaving in a non socially responsible way. The only article I found was one talking about a mother who had sued a Target store near Pasadena, CA, when her son suffered humiliation from fellow Target employees, and actually ended up committing suicide. He had suffered from Aspergers Syndrome. While this is a very tragic story, it doesn’t have to do with Target as a whole company, just the one store near Pasadena, CA. Target has always behaved socially and ethically responsible.
I feel the company is definitely “green” for the environment, and not “green” for profit. Target has always been one for the environment, and even they started to charge for bags to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags. Target’s main message is that they want to be environmentally friendly so they can be around to serve people for generations to come.
References:
Ganti, A. “Social Responsibility.” Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/socialresponsibility.asp
“Target’s Corporate Responsibility Strategy.” A Bullseye View. https://corporate.target.com/corporate-responsibility/future-at-heart
Gallagher, C. “Target Sued-The Ethical Price of Humiliating an Employee.” https://www.chuckgallagher.com/2015/02/03/target-sued-ethical-price-humiliating-employee/
Marilyn Carlson SNHU 