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TikTok influencer sparks debate after criticising Target’s new shopping cart design

Ashley Darling criticized the carts for not being parent-friendly

TikTok influencer Ashley Darling criticized Target's redesigned shopping carts for their cup-holder location (@the.darling.edit)
TikTok influencer Ashley Darling criticized Target's redesigned shopping carts for their cup-holder location (tiktok.com/@the.darling.edit)

TikTok influencer Ashely Darling has sparked debate online about Target’s new shopping cart design after criticizing them for not being parent-friendly in a video posted to her account.

The influencer, who lives in Los Angeles, had particular issue with the location of the cup-holders in the cart redesign, which she described as a “fail”.

The video has amassed over 600,000 views and more than 1,000 comments since she posted it earlier this week.

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“I haven’t seen anybody talk about it,” she said.

@the.darling.edit

@target did you even ask moms if this was a good idea? 😂 i know we arent the only ones who use these…but come on 😭 #targethaul #targetfinds

♬ original sound - the.darling.edit

“It’s brand new, they literally just rolled these carts out.

“You can definitely tell that they did not consult one single mother while redesigning these carts,” she added.

Turning her phone to face the cart, she places her iced coffee in the cup-holder, which is located next to the child’s seat.

“First of all, I do like the bucket seat,” she admitted.

“But I think pretty much anyone can tell you, we don’t want the cup-holders up here.



“Because guess who’s going to be pulling at my straw and trying to drink my iced coffee? Yep, this one,” she said, pointing the camera towards her daughter in the seat.

Instead, she recommended that the cupholders should be moved to the bottom end of the cart, out of the reach of any children.

Ashley also pointed out that the tray next to the seat had holes which were “the perfect size for toddlers to their fingers stuck”.

Hundreds took to the comments to voice their opinions.

“As someone without kids I definitely want the cup holders where they are,” one user commented.

Hundreds took to the comments to either agree or disagree with Ashley.
Hundreds took to the comments to either agree or disagree with Ashley.

“I DO want the cup holder there and not in my cart where I put all my things,” another said.

“I actually kind of like the cupholder there – my son can put his cup there himself, so it’s not getting dropped in the store,” someone pointed out.

However, some did agree with Ashley, with one user noting how her son threw her coffee “out of the cart when he was younger”.

“This is worse,” she said.