Moments after polishing off their Thanksgiving feasts, eager shoppers flocked to nearly 2,000 Target locations across the United States on November 28.

In the early hours of Black Friday, determined customers queued up outside the stores, hoping to snag a shiny tote bag that promised ‘home prizes’ worth between $99 and $350 for the first 10 individuals. Those further back in line were treated to smaller giveaways.

Many of these devoted shoppers braved the biting cold.

As early as 3 a.m., temperatures plummeted to a chilling 25 degrees in Seattle, 16 degrees in Minneapolis, 23 degrees in Chicago, and a brisk 33 degrees in New York City.

Now, with warmth returning to their fingers and toes, those who missed out on the coveted early-bird bags are expressing their frustrations on social media.

‘I feel like I got nothing,’ one TikToker said while pulling out a pack of Uno cards, electrolytes, a value pack of candy, lip gloss, and a travel-sized container of shampoo. ‘This is so sad.’ 

The luckiest shoppers walked away with high-end freebies — Beats headphones, a Ninja slushie machine, or a gift card. 

But according to social media, the giveaway didn’t give the struggling retail giant enough goodwill to blunt mounting frustrations. 

Customers waited for hours outside of Target’s stores for the company’s Black Friday giveaway

Excited shoppers wrapped themselves in blankets and warm coats to brave the temperatures

‘If they’re trying to get people in for Black Friday, at least make an effort,’ one shopper wrote on Reddit. ‘People give out more at Halloween than Target did.’ 

It’s the latest sign of trouble for Target. Independent analysts have told the Daily Mail the company desperately needed a win. 

‘Target is still slipping,’ said Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData. ‘They need a complete overhaul of operations and culture to get back on track.’ 

Target’s once-impeccable gloss began to fade in 2024, experts said. 

American families were still battling the hangover of 9 percent inflation that peaked in 2022, and Target’s image as a higher-end box store clashed with shoppers’ need to stretch every dollar on groceries. 

Then came the political firestorm. 

In 2023, conservative activists targeted Target’s Pride collection, railing against the inclusion of children’s items in the line. 

Then, in late 2024, the backlash spread to the left after the company shifted its DEI hiring policies, infuriating progressive shoppers.

Target has gone through a tough year, with customer traffic, profits, share prices, and consumer sentiment slumping 

Alienating both ends of the political spectrum has not been kind to the company’s bottom line — foot traffic has slowed, profits are lagging expectations, and staff frustrations are rising.

And the stock price is down almost 34 percent since January.  

All of that pressure now lands squarely on incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, a 20-year company veteran who takes over from Brian Cornell on February 1.

Cornell has been the company’s top boss for the past 11 years. 

Fiddelke will be tasked with restoring Target’s identity as a destination for affordable-but-stylish goods, solid value, and reliable execution on holiday gifts — a lane Walmart has decisively seized.

And if social media is any indicator, the company’s Black Friday consolation prizes didn’t help its case. 

Target didn’t immediately respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.