If you’ve wandered into a Target recently hoping for a quick fashion fix, you might’ve been greeted by chaos instead of chic.
Disheveled displays, clothes spilling off racks, and hangers scattered across the floor have become a common sight in some stores—leaving customers wondering, “What happened here?”
That’s exactly what one TikToker, @theurbanpony09, experienced when she filmed a now-viral video from inside her local Target.
Her frustrated commentary captured what many shoppers have been quietly thinking: the clothing section has seen better days.
“Customers Have No Respect”—But Is That the Whole Story?
In her video, @theurbanpony09 didn’t hold back.
She panned the camera across the messy women’s section, swearing in disbelief and questioning why everything looked so chaotic.
“Customers have no respect,” she said, baffled by the state of the store.
But retail experts say it’s not just shoppers leaving the mess behind—it’s a bigger issue tied to staffing and company priorities.
Behind the Clutter: A Retail Strategy Gone Sideways
Carol Spieckerman, a seasoned retail consultant, told DailyMail.com that Target’s apparel department has long struggled with upkeep.
“I hate to pile on (pun intended),” she said, “but Target’s apparel merchandising and maintenance is an ongoing issue.”
She explained that when displays are in disarray, it disrupts what Target has promised for years: stylish, accessible fashion in an organized, appealing environment.
That disconnect is more than just aesthetic—it can hurt the brand’s reputation.
Target’s Fashion Strategy Once Set the Standard
Let’s not forget, Target didn’t become a household name in fashion retail by accident.
The store has long been praised for its clean layouts, vibrant marketing, and exclusive fashion partnerships.
Brands like Warby Parker, Levi’s, Champion, and Kate Spade have all teamed up with the retail giant, bringing a little high-end flair to the big-box world.
Those collaborations created a sense of newness and style without the price tag.
But it seems those efforts have been undermined by a lack of staff to maintain the presentation.
Short Staff, Big Problems
According to Spieckerman, the root of the issue is simple: there just aren’t enough employees on the floor.
Many workers are pulled to the front of the store to manage checkout lines, leaving the clothing area understaffed—and it shows.
“In some stores,” she noted, “Target’s apparel sections create a jarring disconnect with the rest of the store’s typically polished presentation.”
She added that the clothing chaos feels especially frustrating because it’s such a solvable issue, making the lack of attention feel “inexcusable.”
Politics, Pride, and Public Backlash
Target’s clothing section has also been caught in the crossfire of recent political and social controversies.
Last year, the company’s annual Pride collection sparked backlash from conservative groups due to swimsuits designed with trans customers in mind.
Fast forward to this year, and LGBTQ+ shoppers felt let down by placeholder text that appeared on dozens of Pride products, suggesting a lack of genuine commitment.
That controversy, combined with a boycott over Target’s decision to scale back diversity and inclusion efforts, has hit the company hard.
Several quarters of declining sales followed.
Employee Anxiety Is Growing
As Target faces continued public scrutiny and falling profits, it’s not just customers who are noticing the cracks—employees are feeling the pressure too.
CEO Brian Cornell admitted during a May earnings call, “We’re not satisfied with these results, so we’re moving with urgency to navigate through this period of volatility.”
Internally, some employees have taken to social media to voice concerns about shrinking store hours, job cuts, and general uncertainty about the company’s direction.
Will the Retail Giant Bounce Back?
Retail analyst Neil Saunders noted that Target’s declining profits may force the company to limit hiring and cut back on labor hours—both of which could deepen the issues already playing out in stores.
“That makes staff worry for their own jobs,” he explained.
However, there may be a glimmer of hope.
While Target’s stock dropped by over 24 percent in the first half of 2025, recent weeks have seen a rebound.
Shares have risen by more than 3.6 percent in the last month, signaling that investors may be regaining some confidence in the brand’s recovery efforts.
What Comes Next for Target?
For now, Target hasn’t publicly addressed the mess in its clothing aisles—or responded to media inquiries about it.
The TikToker behind the viral video also declined to comment.
But if Target wants to hold on to its stylish reputation and loyal customer base, it may need to invest more in what made it so popular in the first place: attention to detail, a clean shopping experience, and accessible fashion that feels good to browse—not just buy.