Target Helping Special Needs Customers With Rollout Of Caroline's Cart
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
Rollout to stores nationwide begins March 19.
Target has announced that it will be rolling out Caroline’s Carts to stores nationwide beginning March 19th. The retailer has been testing the award-winning carts, designed for special-needs individuals, since February of 2015, and has found that their guests appreciate having them available. The carts have a large seat on the front with a four-strap safety buckle, eliminating the need to negotiate a cart and a wheelchair through the store at the same time.
One customer, Adam Standiford, took to Facebook to express his thanks at having this cart available for his daughter. He wrote, “this simple cart will change how we can shop, not having to worry as to how we are going to get [Savannah] into a store.”
Target announced that the vast majority of stores will have at least one Caroline’s Cart, and many will have more, depending on their guests’ needs. The cart was the creation of Drew Ann and David Long, whose daughter Caroline, suffers from Rett syndrome. Drew Ann’s mission is “Providing a quality product for special needs children that further enables their participation in mainstream society with their family through the common activity of grocery shopping,” and her goal is to see them available at retail stores everywhere. The Target announcement is a large step towards her goal.
Caroline’s Cart is also found in hundreds of other stores, including Publix, Kroger, Wegmans, ShopRite, and others, according to AL.com. Long lauded the Target move, saying “"I think Target doing this is really going to raise the bar," she said. "This decision validates the need. If you're going to provide for the able-bodied, why would you not provide for the disabled-bodied, when you have an option?"
“Caroline’s Cart can be a game-changer for families, and we’re excited to offer this for our guests across the country,” explained Juan Galarraga, senior vice president, Store Operations. “Target is always looking for new ways to make guests feel welcome in our stores and give them a more comfortable shopping experience. We’re always listening to both our guests and team members and making changes based on their feedback.”