In an age where consumer feedback is just a TikTok video away from going viral, a Target shopper and lifestyle influencer, Ashley Darling, is making waves with her pointed critique of the retail giant’s redesigned shopping carts. In a video shared with her thousands of followers, Darling—like many modern moms—highlighted some practical concerns with Target’s latest effort to update its in-store shopping experience. But was her feedback justified, or just another social media overreaction?
Ashley Darling, a mom of a young daughter, took to TikTok to express her frustration with what she describes as Target’s failure to consult “even a single mother” during the cart redesign process. In her video, filmed in a Target store, she praises the bucket seat for her child but expresses irritation over two cupholders placed conveniently next to the seat.
“Guess who’s gonna be pulling up my straw and trying to drink my iced coffee?” Darling said, pointing to her toddler. Her concern? The cupholders are positioned perfectly within reach of curious little hands, likely causing chaos for caffeine-dependent parents. Her suggestion? Move the cupholders closer to the bow of the cart, away from eager toddler fingers.
It didn’t end there. Darling also pointed out what she believed was a potential safety hazard: small holes in the back of the bucket seat. “Perfect size for toddler fingers — to get their fingers literally stuck in there,” she warned, predicting potential lawsuits down the road.
But in today’s digital world, where every opinion is met with instant feedback, the court of public opinion didn’t seem to be in Darling’s corner this time. The comments flooded in—many of them disagreeing with her complaints.
@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
One person pointed out that the holes in the cart are likely too large for a toddler’s fingers to get stuck. Another mom chimed in with a different perspective, saying she actually appreciated the cupholder’s proximity to her child. “My son can put his own cup there himself, so it’s not getting dropped in the store,” she shared, indicating that the new design might actually reduce spilled drinks.
Another user, who identified as child-free, came forward to defend Target’s design for those without kids, stating, “I want my cup holder near my hands at the handle & the phone holder.” This comment underscores the fact that not every shopper navigating Target’s aisles is a parent. Sometimes, convenience for the masses comes before perfect customization for a specific group.
Someone else provided a practical rebuttal to Darling’s proposed redesign, stating, “I don’t want to have to stop, walk to the end of my cart, take a drink, and put it back before I can move forward again.” It’s a fair point. In an age where convenience is king, having a cupholder within arm’s reach while you push a cart might just be a non-negotiable feature for most shoppers.
While Ashley Darling’s video succeeded in drawing attention to the Target cart design, it also opened up a broader discussion about the balance between practicality and universal functionality in everyday products. Sure, not every aspect of a shopping cart will be perfect for every individual shopper, but Target—like any major retailer—has to strike a balance between different user needs.
This incident is a reminder of how the modern age of social media has empowered consumers to voice their grievances publicly. While companies should always listen to feedback, they must also weigh the opinions of a diverse customer base.
For now, it seems Target’s new carts will remain as they are—love them or hate them. But as always, in the world of retail, the customer will have the final say.
