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Tag: Target Corporation

  • Target Apologizes for Thigh Gap Photoshop Error

    Target Apologizes for Thigh Gap Photoshop Error

    In the last several months, things have not fared well for Target. In December a huge security breach made many question the company’s competency. Now customers are outraged by a new scandal; once again the Target Corporation must apologize to the public.

    On Monday night, several bloggers noticed an error with some of the pictures on Target’s website. These photos were for Target’s Xhilaration Junior’s swimsuit line. The images seem typical at first: young, skinny model posing wearing an Xhilaration swimsuit, but upon further examination, the photoshopping errors shine.

    There are two very noticeable problems with these photos: the erased arm and crotch areas. The people in charge of photoshopping, uploading the images to the site, and double checking the site for errors all failed on this one. However, many individuals find these photos alarming not because of the bad photo editing, but because Target felt the need to make this model skinnier.

    Many young women and girls constantly battle body image and self-esteem problems, usually brought on by the general media obsession with thinness. One of the current crazes surrounding those obsessed with being thin is the thigh gap issue. These thigh gap enthusiasts usually use social media sites, like Tumblr, to encourage and bond over their obsession with thigh gaps. Usually this fixation leads to unhealthy, sometimes anorexic and bulimic, behavior.

    By photoshopping even thin, young models, it creates unrealistic standards for women. Therefore, the general outrage against Target is understandable.

    Target immediately removed these images after news of it spread through social media and news channels. They then issued an official statement to Buzzfeed apologizing for their error.

    “This was an unfortunate error on our part and we apologize. We have removed the image from our website.”

    Despite Target’s apology, many took to Twitter to voice very strong opinions against this photoshopping models problem.

     

     

     

     

    If Target really wants to prove they’re sorry, they could follow Aerie’s unretouched ads’ example.

    Image via Target, Twitter

  • Target Tech Chief Resigns Following Massive Data Breach

    Target Tech Chief Resigns Following Massive Data Breach

    The chief information officer (CIO) of Target Corporation has turned in her resignation following months of a devastating data breach.

    Since 2008, Beth Jacob served as executive vice president of technology services and chief information officer of the retail company. She first started out as an assistant buyer at a store division in 1984. Then, in 2002 she became the director of Target’s contact centers.

    Most recently, Jacob played a major role in overseeing the company’s latest futuristic technology lab in San Francisco.

    According to the Los Angeles Times, Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel confirmed in a statement Wednesday that they are now looking for a new interim CIO who can “guide Target through this transformation.”

    Target announced during the holidays that “40 million payment card accounts were hacked during the pre-Christmas shopping season, and added later that about 70 million customers may have also had their addresses, phone numbers and other information compromised.”

    Most customers believed that the one to blame for the breach is Jacob.

    Here is an interview featuring Jacob in January 2013:

    Some experts feel that her resignation may have been in response to the ever-changing roles that a CIO has to conform to daily. Not only does the public expect them to supervise technology, but also the security of the company systems now that data hacking is gaining momentum.

    Jacob apparently left because she felt that it was “time for a change,” but some assume that her departure was definitely provoked by public criticism.

    “People are questioning Target’s security and she was the fall guy,” said a New York-based retail consultant.(image)

    Target’s data theft is reportedly the most notorious scandal ever witnessed in retail history.

    “To ensure that Target is well positioned following the data breach we suffered last year, we are undertaking an overhaul of our information security and compliance structure and practices at Target,” he said in a statement, according to the Los Angeles Times.

    The corporation is currently working with Promontory Financial Group, which will help them move forward with a $100 million technology and infrastructure renovation. Target plans to implement payment cards designed with encrypted chips. The company expects this new system to improve future security within their information database.

    The company continues to suffer from a decline in consumer loyalty. Since last week, they have witnessed their profits fall 46 percent and their revenue by 5.3 percent.

    Target’s hacking expenses cost the corporation $61 million, but they’re hoping that insurance will cover most of it.

    Here is Steinhafel’s full statement tweeted by a FOX TV reporter:

    Image via YouTube

  • Target Corp Says PIN Numbers Have Been Stolen

    It’s been a bad end of the year for Target Corp. and it seems that things just got worse.

    Yesterday the company announced that credit and debit card PIN numbers were stolen from customers, along with the actual account information that was breached earlier this month.

    However, store officials say they’re relying on Triple DES encryption backup and feel confident the PIN numbers won’t be able to be used.

    “The PIN information was fully encrypted at the keypad, remained encrypted within our system, and remained encrypted when it was removed from our systems. The most important thing for our guests to know is that their debit card accounts have not been compromised due to the encrypted PIN numbers being taken,” explained Target Corp.

    “The PIN information is encrypted within Target’s system and can only be decrypted when it is received by our external, independent payment processor. What this means is that the key necessary to decrypt that data has never existed within Target’s system and could not have been taken during this incident.”

    Adam Levin, who’s a the co-founder of Identity Theft 911 and Credit.com, says Target can’t assume that it’s dealing with run-of-the-mill-data- criminals, so people should still be concerned.

    “I hope they are right because that information, along with the credit and debit numbers of millions of Target customers has been in the hands of very sophisticated criminals for over four weeks and has been, and is probably still being sold in the black markets,” he said to ABC News.

    And Levin isn’t the only one who’s doubtful of Target’s encryption system failing, as some banks throughout the country have decided to take matters into its own hands by replacing customers’ credit and debit cards altogether.

    “Whenever the public hears the word breach or compromise, the public is concerned, said Senior Vice President of Marketing and Retail Delivery, Maria Smathers. “They’re concerned about their personal information. They’re concerned about their money. They’re concerned about identity theft.”

    Which probably means it’s not a bad idea for you to replace your credit and debit cards as well, since Target Corp. has already proved that the identity thieves just may be a little more sophisticated than the company thinks.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • IPhone 5C Discount May Help Target’s Sales

    IPhone 5C Discount May Help Target’s Sales

    IPhones, or any Apple related product, usually causes buyer fever, especially around the holiday season. Many people have some form of Apple product on their Christmas wish list. Teens and early 20-somethings are especially likely to have the IPhone 5C or the IPhone 5S on the Christmas list they give to their parents or favorite aunts and uncles. Therefore, Iphone sales will probably see a major increase from Black Friday until New Year’s day. Additionally, a big discount on an IPhone 5C could entice consumers enough to shop at a  struggling company.

    Last weekend, to make up for the huge data breach, Target gave a 10% discount to all their shoppers. Many have complained that the discount wasn’t enough to draw them into shopping there anytime soon, or that they deserve a bigger discount. However, It could tempt enough consumers for Target to see a couple major sales days or weekends.

    Over the 10% discount weekend, the Iphone sales were not enough to give Target a huge increase in profits. In fact, its sales were down by about 4% percent from last year, while other major retail stores remained about steady over that weekend.

    The Target deals for last weekend, plus the 10% discount, made the Iphone 5c as low as $45 dollars. This deal also included a $50 dollar gift card.  The catch, of course,  is that you must sign a 2 year contract with one of the three major phone service providers (Verizon, AT&T or Sprint), which would cause customers to pay more in the long run. The current Target Iphone 5c sale offers the phone for between $30 and $200, with a $30 dollar gift card included.

    Last minute shoppers might run out and take Target up on this tempting deal. However, they might find a better deal by searching around other retailers or waiting for the after Christmas sales, which are happening earlier than ever this year.

    With so many other retailers selling IPhones, Target will have even more competition than ever, especially with people now questioning if Target is a reliable source for making purchases.

    Image, Via Facebook

  • Free Credit Report From Target: How Do You Get One?

    Free Credit Report From Target: How Do You Get One?

    After Target’s major data breach, this holiday season has filled many of their customers with worry and fear.In turn,this causes major problems for Target Corp,especially in the form of lawsuits and steadily losing customers.Target now is trying to make amends for this huge error by offering a 10% discount for all purchases over the previous weekend.It is also offering free credit reports.

    Annually,the government is required to provide a free credit report to anyone that seeks it.They are provided by one of the three major credit unions, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

    In their press statement,Target suggests that customers check  their credit and debt card statement  for unusual charges.If they see them,they’re advised to call their credit card company or bank.Next,contact Target at 866-852-8680.Then, if  the customer wants to see how their credit has been affected by this breach,they go to the official credit report site,AnnualCreditReport.com,to request a credit report.As the above tweet says,AnnualCreditReport.com is the only government mandated site for free credit reports.The number designated to this site is 877-322-8228.There is also have the option to mail in a credit report request form via the postal service. 

    NBC Washington encourages a credit report requester to use the Annual Credit Report site instead of contacting each company individually, because all three only provide it free through that site.

    In the same statement,Target’s CEO Gregg Steinhafel says,”For extra assurance,we will offer free credit monitoring services for everyone impacted.We’ll be in touch with you soon on how and where to access the service.”So there is a good chance, they’re developing a program specifically for Target shoppers affected by this breach.This may sooth some of the complaints that Target Corp is not doing enough to make up for their mistake.

    Image via, Twitter

  • Target Corporation Offers Discounts During Investigation

    Target Corporation Offers Discounts During Investigation

    Earlier this week, the well-known superstore Target announced that it has encountered a security breach with their credit card system from Black Friday. This incident caused a panic and stir with many of the store’s loyal customers, and now, the store plans to relieve any tensions customers may have with the store by providing them with a discount.

    According to NBC News, the Target Corporation is extending its 10 percent employee discount to customers this weekend while investigators look deeper into this hacking incident.

    A statement from Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel was tweeted early Saturday morning, expressing to customers that their trust is the most important aspect of the company at this time.

    “We recognize this has been confusing and disruptive during an already busy holiday season. Our guests’ trust is our top priority at Target and we are committed to making this right.”

    Later on in the statement posted on Target’s blog, A Bullseye View, Steinhafel provided the following statement.

    “We take this crime seriously. It was a crime against Target, our team members, and most importantly, our guests. We’re in this together, and in that spirit, we are extending a 10% discount – the same amount our team members receive – to guests who shop in U.S. stores on Dec. 21 and 22. Again, we recognize this issue has been confusing and disruptive during an already busy holiday season. We want to emphasize that the issue has been addressed and let guests know they can shop with confidence at their local Target stores.”

    This offer from Target is limited to one in-store transaction for each guest. Target has also committed to free credit monitoring for customers affected by this incident. Steinhafel concludes his statement on Target’s blog with a video, stating that Target values its customers’ business and appreciates the trust they place within the company as a friend and community partner.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU6JYX1zMQI

    Image via YouTube