Connecticut Shoppers Notice Flirty New Target Policy This Holiday Season

If you walk into a Target in Connecticut this week and the social interaction feels a little… different, it might have something to do with the company’s flirty new policy.

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According to AL.com, Target just rolled out something called the “10-4” program — a new customer engagement rule designed to make shopping feel friendlier (and maybe a little more personal) during the holiday rush.

Here’s how it works: if a Target employee is within 10 feet of a shopper, they’re supposed to smile, make eye contact, and wave or say hello. Once they’re within four feet, they’re expected to ask if you need help finding anything, or toss out a friendly, “How’s your day going?”

So, if it seems like Target workers are suddenly extra attentive, they’re probably not flirting — they’re following orders.

Target told Bloomberg that “heading into the holiday, we’re making adjustments and implementing new ways to increase connection during the most important time of the year.” In other words, the company wants customers to feel more seen, even in the chaos of Black Friday lines and gift shopping.

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And this kind of approach isn’t totally new. Other companies like Walmart and Disney have tried similar “proximity rules” for customer interaction — basically requiring employees to turn on the charm when a shopper drifts into their bubble.

So, if you’re picking up wrapping paper or a new air fryer this week and a Target employee greets you with a big smile and a “How’s it going?”, don’t overthink it. It’s not a crush — it’s corporate policy.

I don’t know why everyone keeps throwing around the term flirty. It’s more unhinged than anything. Last week, you go into a store and have normal, reasonable social interactions. This week, you go in and the cast of SMILE takes one huge step toward you, stares into your eyes, and says hello. That almost feels criminal — and it definitely feels creepy.