Target is pulling kid-sized shopping carts from its stores after a months-long experiment to entertain young shoppers caused a lot of frustrated adults, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. In late August, Target started testing these mini-carts in 72 stores. The mini-carts mimic the grown-up ones, but are only about three feet high and come with a flag featuring the Target bulldog.
Shin-height plastic carts controlled by kids with little-to-no fine motor skills — what could possibly go wrong? Certain grocery stores, like Trader Joe's, have kiddie carts, but these stores don't have an enticing toy aisle like Target does. How do you break it to your kid that he might not be able to get everything he's plopped in his own shopping cart — but you can? Learning the heartbreak of Target over-shopping at such a young age!
Some parents complained on social media about the baby bumper-carts, but others were thankful for the extra shopping hands:
Ultimately, the negative feedback outweighed the positive comments, Kristy Welker, a Target spokesperson told the Star Tribune. The carts also took up space in the front of the store, and employees weren't thrilled about them either, she said. So, away the cars went.
If you're headed to Target this weekend, be thankful you won't have to dodge the mini carts, but you might want to pack a little something extra to keep your kid entertained while you shop.
