Target's kettle ban has some seeing red (Salvation Army)

[Hoss68]

John Reinan, Star Tribune
December 2, 2004

Like many modern retailers, Target Corp. strives to offer its customers a pleasant, hassle-free and tightly orchestrated consumer experience.

But that desire to sanitize shopping has turned out to be anything but hassle-free for Target since it decided to ban Salvation Army bell-ringers from its store entrances this holiday season.

Target -- a company long praised for its corporate giving -- suddenly finds itself cast as the Grinch.

Target is being portrayed as cold and uncaring by commentators and activists. Other businesses, such as Cub Foods, have jumped in, publicly touting their willingness to play host to the bell-ringers.

And now, with Christmas shopping in full gear, several national Christian groups are denouncing the retailer in biblical terms.


David Hall rings a Salvation Army bell.
Glen Stubbe
Star Tribune

"For Target to say that the Salvation Army is no longer welcome at the inn should send a message to Christians that perhaps they'd like to do their shopping elsewhere," said Robert Knight, a spokeswoman for Concerned Women of America, a Christian activist group that claims more than 500,000 members.

The issue dates to last January, when Minneapolis-based Target told the Salvation Army that it would no longer allow its red kettles and bell-ringers outside Target's nearly 1,200 U.S. stores.

Target stores have been an important piece of Salvation Army fundraising; the group says it raised about $9 million last year from Target shoppers nationwide. In the Twin Cities, Target locations accounted for about $750,000, more than one-third of the $2 million raised by bell-ringers in the metro area.

But Target felt it no longer could make the Salvation Army the sole exception to a rule banning solicitation at its stores, spokeswoman Carolyn Brookter said.

"It's unfortunate that this is being looked at as something against the Salvation Army," she said. "That's not the way we intended it to be. It's really about us trying to make our policy consistent. We have always respected the Salvation Army's mission and their goals."

Also figuring in the decision, she said, was Target's desire to protect its customers from the potential discomfort of being asked for donations.

"Part of what we offer as a brand experience is a distraction-free shopping experience, and I think that's one reason people like to come here," Brookter said.

What Target is striving to avoid is the "gauntlet effect," said James Tenser, a retail consultant and author in Tucson, Ariz.

"Target wants their customers to feel as good as possible coming and going from the stores," Tenser said. "Do you make some customers more comfortable by taking away this gauntlet effect? Or do you offend others by taking away from the Salvation Army's goals?

"They're in a tough spot."

Alerting the faithful

The American Family Association, a Christian activist group based in Tupelo, Miss., this week sent an "action alert" to more than 2.2 million people on its mailing list, alerting them to Target's decision.

While not calling for a boycott of Target, the association asked its members to consider shopping at retailers that support the Salvation Army -- such as Target's chief rival, Wal-Mart, which allows bell-ringers at its stores as an exception to its own no-solicitation policy.

"Target is like the priest who came on the man lying in the ditch and walked on by, where the Salvation Army is the Good Samaritan," AFA spokesman Randy Sharp said.

"It's part of the Christian heritage to help our fellow man in a time of need," he said. "It's very discouraging when a multibillion-dollar organization with millions and millions of dollars of profit to be made won't give one month of their storefront to the Salvation Army."

Some other area companies are stepping in to fill the gap left by Target. Snyder's Drug Stores offered to host bell-ringers for the first time at its 50 Twin Cities stores. Bloomington marketing agency Morsekode donated its services to create public-service ads and marketing material.
Cub Foods doubled the number of bell-ringers at its 50 Twin Cities stores as a direct result of the Target ban, Cub spokesman Chris Murphy said.

"For us, it's the right thing to do," Murphy said. "The Salvation Army is pretty much universally respected for what they do in the community. You're talking about a 113-year tradition -- it's Americana."

Brookter said Target donates more than $100 million a year to charity and already contributes to the Salvation Army through the United Way.

In addition, Target is a member of the Salvation Army's Web shopping site, www.kettleshop.org, which generates donations to the Salvation Army based on purchases from participating retailers.

"In the end, we would still like to find a way where we can partner together, but it will have to be in a different manner," Brookter said. "We do that with other non-profit organizations."

Mixed opinions

Opinions were mixed in Edina, where a kettle-free Target store stands two blocks down York Avenue from a Cub Foods store with two bell-ringers out front.

"I was just at Target, and I wondered where [the bell-ringers] were," said Laura Erickson of Minneapolis, who stuffed a dollar into the kettle at Cub. "They've always been there, and it's dumb to take them away."

Christina Kelley of Richfield said she missed seeing the bell-ringers at Target but understands the company's point of view.

"They're at lots of other places, so I don't feel like I'm losing the opportunity to give," she said.

Brian LeVoir of Minneapolis is volunteering as a bell-ringer this year for the first time. A single parent of four boys, he said his sons all took part in recreation programs sponsored by the Salvation Army, and he wanted to give something back.

"The donations have been good," LeVoir said, ringing his bell outside Cub. "But I'm hearing a lot of hard-hearted comments about Target."

[JohnRN]

While I can understand Target's reasonings, I'm not sure all the logic being used it good.

Also figuring in the decision, she said, was Target's desire to protect its customers from the potential discomfort of being asked for donations.

"Discomfort" from donating to a worth cause? Salvation Army helped my poor arse stay warm during my first winter in America - one donated coat.

While I do know that it is potentially unture - cases like these will only make the people believe more and more - that "people with the most money rarely give any away".

If I have to run their "gauntlet" anytime, I'd gladly do it.

Some people have their priorities mixed up it seems.

Have any of the customers complained about the bell ringers?

[drywall]

I live here in Target heartland. They wouldn't allow us to sell poppies for Memorial Day either. Lets see, Salvation Army, Veterans and who else I wonder? Some of the outfits they do allow would surprise you...........or not.

[Hoss68]

Originally Posted by drywall

I live here in Target heartland. They wouldn't allow us to sell poppies for Memorial Day either. Lets see, Salvation Army, Veterans and who else I wonder? Some of the outfits they do allow would surprise you...........or not.

Where in Minnesota? I knew where you were from just by that comment~ lol

Born and raised in Andover, live up north now.

[Caldric]

This is just so stupid of Target, which I do not have a target here thankfully.

However I remember last year Odannyboy posted about a man in NC who gave I think Gold Krugeran(sp). The man every year for several years has dropped the coin in the bucket. Almost 10,000 dollars I think if I remember correctly.

No doubt he may have well been one of the unfortunate people who at some point in his past got the caring and unconditional hand of the Salvation Army. Maybe a warm coat for the winter or a place to sleep and food.

They help all no matter of religion, race, sex or creed. I give everytime I pass them if it is only pocket change. It is the only chairty I give to that I know it will go to those who need. Bless them and Bless the people who stand to gather the money for the needy.

I think the people who are complaining have a serious self disorder or shame for actually thinking for a moment of the millions of people who go without. Shame on them and I hope they hear the bells every night when they try to sleep.

[Hoss68]

My neighbors, who are both living off SSI, started a toy drive locally. Considering it's a grass roots effort, it's going pretty good.

I agree, Target should be ashamed...

[drywall]

ya got that right hoss.