bigjimslade Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 http://www.omaha.com/article/20111027/NEWS01/710279885/1658 To ensure safety of customers and staff, Target, the nation's second-largest retailer by sales, is doing away with hundreds of customers racing into its stores at once. On Nov. 25, Target stores with large crowds will allow only about 30 people in at a time every 15 to 20 seconds, said Antoine LaFromboise, a corporate spokesman for Target in Minneapolis. "We think this will be good for our guests and give them the room they need," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjimslade Posted October 27, 2011 Author Share Posted October 27, 2011 Here is another news story http://www.huliq.com/3257/target-use-black-friday-2011-queuing-system-increase-safety Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starbeck96 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 The only problem that I see with this, is those that get there late and then rush to the front of the line. I hate those kind of people!!!!! UGH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaInNC Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Why don't they just give out tickets? I can't see this happening at Target and going over very well. A new group every 20 to 30 seconds? Really? You think that's going to keep people from running inside the store? I hate how Target has their store layed out. You could stand in line for 12 hours and end up getting 1 thing on your list. So do you want the TV or the $3 appliances? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arci122 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Are you kidding me? Now they need to stage police outside for all the fights that are going to break out! The parking lot rushers are going to make who was first totally unmanageable. And while people are yelling and screaming, who is going to get the people through the door? Bad move Target, think of a better plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkrbel Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 The only problem that I see with this, is those that get there late and then rush to the front of the line. I hate those kind of people!!!!! UGH!I would hope that if they plan on counting people in they will have a pretty good way of keeping line jumpers/late arrivals from jumping the line. Why don't they just give out tickets? I can't see this happening at Target and going over very well. A new group every 20 to 30 seconds? Really? You think that's going to keep people from running inside the store?I agree tickets would help but I think the copying Walmart's map idea will be a bigger help than the delay at door. From articles: "LaFromboise said the choice of using the policy is up to the individual Target stores. They will decide, based on the lines outside the store, and the demeanor of the shoppers. However, he added that it is likely that all Target stores will use the new system." "This year, store maps will be available the day before Thanksgiving on target.com. Other new efforts at Target stores this year include more training for store leaders on crowd management, assigning a crowd management leader and captain both inside and outside every store and enforcing a buffer zone of about 10 feet between each store and the start of its line." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Mama Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Gah! This will so not work in Memphis. Too many line cutters and security doesn't want to get stabbed or anything if they try to stand up. Honest people would listen sure, but you know when people start running in - I don't know how they will be able to stop that hoard of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyreejames Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I've shopped @ 3 different Target's the past 6-7 Black Fridays and not once have we had a problem with the line rushers. Do they try? Sure, but Target employees & security do a very good job of making it clear that they need to go to the back of the line. 20-30 seconds is no time so since this doesn't bother me much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia39 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 So in my mind, I see a line being forced around the building with line divider barrier thingys (think the ropes from Disney) and I would barricade the other entry doors, and stick security in front of them, so that no one can enter. Another two or three security people counting people to let them in and then shutting the door. They do this at the Coach outlets! Inside the store, just let the free for all commence, I guess. At least you'll have a 30 second head start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starbeck96 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I so agree with the tickets. I think that if stores would do this, things would be much better! Our Walmart used to do it. It was great! They still do it on a few things, but you still have to wait in line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger97498 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Well heres the thing they are going to need police now because I see this being a riot as everyone starts getting mad that others are getting in and they arent. I have never seen crowd control as a problem at Target anyway they always handle it really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jade6700 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Our Toys R Us did something similar last BF and it worked really well. No one was cutting and everyone seemed to respect the security person working the door. Here's hoping it goes smoothly for Target! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2chia Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Oh... I see a riot breaking out infront Target stores !! Child and Pregnant woman watch out !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjimslade Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 LOL now I have root beer all over. Oh... I see a riot breaking out infront Target stores !! Child and Pregnant woman watch out !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattnMissymagic Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 At the Targets I've gone to the past few years, they have had very good line control. They've set up barricades and they do only open one entrance for the first 15 minutes. The lines have ended up going around the store but other than the running once the store opens its been very controlled. Now do I think this will work, guess it's worth a try if they think it might work. By the way this has been my experience in the Mpls./St. Paul area, so right in Target's backyard so to speak!!! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilygracesmom Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I just had a post from Target on my FB page. It says that their BF sales will start at midnight!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakiaw Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Oh... I see a riot breaking out infront Target stores !! Child and Pregnant woman watch out !!Exactly! Last year I set-up camp at a 24-hour Wal-Mart. We were warm and received tickets. A couple of other people I know went to Target. One of them was hit in the face and both of them had products snatched from them. I Love Target, would definitely prefer to go there but this crowd control plan is just plain stupid and dangerous to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bribri25 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Our target lined carts around the store so late comers could jump the line. As long as they keep the line moving at a semi decent rate they should be ok but I find it difficult that most shoppers will actually pause for 20 seconds at an open door... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Needs a deal Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 i think check out some of the videos on youtube from black friday disasters, fights, trampilling, even deaths when that door comes open. The only way they will stop people from just having there way is literally put multiple armed police officers with shotguns loaded with beanbags at the door and inside and itchy trigger finger. It very hard to cage wild animals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetCanela Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 So in my mind, I see a line being forced around the building with line divider barrier thingys (think the ropes from Disney) and I would barricade the other entry doors, and stick security in front of them, so that no one can enter. Another two or three security people counting people to let them in and then shutting the door. They do this at the Coach outlets! Inside the store, just let the free for all commence, I guess. At least you'll have a 30 second head start?This is exactly what my Target did plus the maps that were available on their website. It was much better than awful Wal-Mart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhk364 Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I still think the way WM 24 hour stores (or at least ours) do it works the best. All the products are placed on pallets throughout the store and then ropes are placed around the products. A walmart employee or two stand around to keep an eye on things and at 5am (or 4am) they say go and then they start to hand out the items to those in line. No running, pushing or shoving. nobody gets hurt and most importantly... if you are number 20 in line and there are only 18 laptops then you move on, no need to waste time waiting on something you know you cannot get. This would work even for stores that are not 24 hour stores. Just open the doors several hours before the sale starts and let people line up inside near the item they want. It also elimantes the hoaders like you get at BB, first ten people in line get one of everything and the rest of the crowd gets a thumb drive for 50% off. You cant be in 2 lines at once so now everybody get something and nobody get everything. When my kids were younger and we were getting tv's, laptops, toys and whatnot we did this every year and it worked out perfect, never once have seen a fight break out or somebody even get knocked to the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgreen Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I wish our 24 hour walmart would do that. At 4 or 5 when they unwrap the pallets it is like a feeding frenzy. You see stuff flying up in the air, you hear yelling, etc. and the pallets are empty in 3 minutes. People standing right in front of the pallets can end up with nothing if they are not aggressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianne Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 i never had a problem at target Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakesmommy403 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 This is how they've been doing it at my Target for the past 2 years, and it always moves very smoothly and quickly. We form a line outside and shuffle in. They always put out all the old shopping carts in a huge line right when you walk in, so there's extra. They have 3 security guards, who are always very good about not letting any line jumpers get ahead, and the employees walk up and down the line handing out maps while we wait. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackFriDiva Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I think this will be a accident waiting to happen. One huge mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shopperpro Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've shopped @ 3 different Target's the past 6-7 Black Fridays and not once have we had a problem with the line rushers. Do they try? Sure, but Target employees & security do a very good job of making it clear that they need to go to the back of the line. 20-30 seconds is no time so since this doesn't bother me much.Agreed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbwolfer Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 In my experience crowd control is always better at Target than at Walmart. They always have lots of employees and police out front to stop the line jumpers and they are serious about it too. Walmart is the worst I have ever seen with line jumping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeraen Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 OK, so let's say I'm number 300 in the line (about right, I think). So after each 30th person in line, they hold the phone for 20 seconds. That means they will stop the line 10 times for 20 seconds before they get to me... 10 x 20 = 200 seconds, or about 3 and a half minutes. I'm really not going to complain about waiting an extra 3 and a half minutes... and I live where it's darned cold! ETA: All it will really do is minimize the bottleneck at the door where everyone is grabbing carts and figuring out which way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deal Grabber Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 i think check out some of the videos on youtube from black friday disasters, fights, trampilling, even deaths when that door comes open. The only way they will stop people from just having there way is literally put multiple armed police officers with shotguns loaded with beanbags at the door and inside and itchy trigger finger. It very hard to cage wild animals.LOL i for one have to say NO SALE is worth that to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgm8 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 My Target has been doing this for years. Employees would hand out maps and sell Starbucks. Security would let a handful of people in the store. There were several employees that stood in the entry aisle and if you ran, they told you to stop or be removed. The big sale items, sans electronics & games, are along both sides of the aisles. It has always been a relatively calm experience. Well, for bf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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