Target’s New Age Policy: Target shopper gets stopped by security guard at entrance Why?

According to report, A common experience for many adults is the flattering moment of being carded at a bar or restaurant despite being well over 21. However, one woman found herself more puzzled than flattered when it happened at her local Target store.

Alyssa Dejesus (@alyssa_dejesus), a 24-year-old content creator and podcast host, shared her surprising encounter with a Target security officer in Chicago on TikTok. Her video quickly gained attention, amassing nearly 900,000 views.

“I’m at Target right now, and I just got stopped by a security guard before walking in,” DeJesus begins in her video. “He was like, ‘I have to ask, how old are you?’ … That was such a weird question to be asked … by a security guard. And this is why,” she explains, before panning the camera to a sign posted at the entrance. The sign reads: “All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at this Target store.”

“I’m literally 24, so good to know,” she quips as the video ends. In the caption, DeJesus joked, “That’s what I get for leaving my house without makeup on.”

Reactions to Target’s Age Policy The video sparked a range of reactions from viewers in the comments, with some supporting Target’s policy and others sharing their concerns.

“OK but I love that stores are doing this,” one user commented, expressing approval of the rule.

“I get it, but at 16, I had a job, a car, and money, and my parents did not want to go to Target with me,” another user added, highlighting the inconvenience for responsible teens.

“As a retail employee, I wish more stores would do this. I’ve finished working on table displays just to watch teenagers intentionally knock over stacked t-shirts or throw shirts off the hanger,” remarked a third commenter, citing the challenges of dealing with unsupervised teens in stores.

Is This Happening at Other Target Locations?

Target has implemented similar policies at other stores across the country. In April, the retailer gained widespread attention for introducing a rule at its Washington, D.C. location, which bans minors from entering the store without adult supervision. This policy, mirrored in DeJesus’s experience, is enforced in the DC USA Mall in Columbia Heights, where all visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Reason Behind the Policy According to La Voce di New York, Target, like many other major retailers, has been grappling with inventory shrinkage, with some CEOs voicing concerns that it could significantly impact profitability. The policy, introduced as early as December 2023, aims to reduce financial losses and curb shoplifting among young people.

In another instance, a Target store in Bakersfield, California, made headlines for turning away several teens who were unaccompanied after 4 p.m. The store is located in Valley Plaza Mall, which enforces a similar rule.

“They had asked us to leave, and we asked why. They said we couldn’t go in without a parent or guardian. We’re like, ‘Can we at least go inside to get Starbucks real quick?’ and they said ‘No,’” one of the teens told KBAK.

Is This a Nationwide Policy?

Since Target has not issued a formal announcement regarding this policy, it remains unclear whether this rule will be implemented across all Target locations or if it is simply a guideline set by specific malls, where individual proprietors apply rules at their discretion.