No, Target is not a traditional fast fashion brand, but it's a nuanced case. It operates a hybrid model that adopts many fast fashion characteristics, including rapid production cycles, low prices, and thousands of new trend-driven items released each year. Its business is built on high volume and affordability, placing it in a grey area between a mass-market retailer and a fast fashion company.
While the company has made public commitments to improve its practices, it struggles with inconsistent labor enforcement, limited supply chain transparency, and a business model that encourages overconsumption. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about Target's practices:
While not a pure-play fast fashion retailer like Zara or Shein, Target’s business model shares several key traits that contribute to overconsumption and waste.
Target has taken steps toward ethical practices, but significant gaps remain between its policies and what happens in its supply chain, earning it a middling rating.
Target requires its suppliers to adhere to local labor laws, but third-party audits and independent reports reveal this is not always enforced. A 2023 report by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) noted that many factory workers supplying Target earn far below a living wage. For example, in Bangladesh, garment workers often receive around $180 per month, while the estimated living wage is closer to $350 per month.
Target's transparency is moderate. It publishes a list of its Tier 1 factories, which is a positive step, but offers no visibility into its Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers (fabric mills, raw material producers). This makes it impossible to fully vet the ethical and environmental practices of its entire supply chain.
Target’s animal welfare policies are undefined and lack strength. While the company does not sell fur, it uses leather, wool, and down without robust certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or Responsible Down Standard (RDS). This lack of certified sourcing means there is no guarantee that animal products are being sourced without cruelty.
Target has set ambitious sustainability goals but has been slow to make meaningful progress, particularly when its high-volume business model is taken into account.
According to its 2023 sustainability report, only about 25% of Target's apparel and home goods contain sustainable fibers like organic cotton or recycled polyester. This means the vast majority (75%) of its products still rely on conventional, resource-intensive materials like conventional cotton and virgin polyester.
Target has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and reducing its supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030. While these are strong science-based targets, progress reports show the company is not currently on track to meet these goals. Data on water usage and chemical management in its supply chain also remain limited and lack transparency.
Target has textile take-back and recycling programs, but their impact is minimal, with less than 5% of products being reclaimed at their end-of-life. Most items are designed for affordability and short-term use, contributing directly to textile waste. Though it has pledged to eliminate single-use plastics in packaging by 2025, its core business model still fuels a "buy, use, dispose" mentality.
Target finds itself in the middle of the pack - making more progress than many big-box retailers but lagging far behind true industry leaders. Its efforts are noteworthy but overshadowed by the inherent unsustainability of its high-volume business model.
Target earns a B for its efforts in corporate responsibility and for publishing a Tier 1 supplier list. These are positive steps toward transparency that exceed many competitors. However, the grade is held back by documented wage violations, inconsistent enforcement in its factories, and the absence of a firm commitment to a living wage for all workers in its supply chain.
The company receives a C+ for setting ambitious science-based climate targets and increasing its use of sustainable materials to 25%. However, slow progress toward these goals, a lack of transparency in water and chemical usage, and a business model rooted in overproduction prevent a higher score. Their initiatives are promising but currently function more as marketing points than transformative actions.
If you're seeking brands that prioritize people and the planet, here are some alternatives that offer quality goods with stronger commitments to ethics and sustainability.
A true leader in ethical and sustainable apparel, Patagonia uses 87% recycled or organic materials, is Fair Trade Certified, and has achieved carbon neutrality in its direct operations. Best for durable outdoor apparel and activewear, it's pricier but designed to last a lifetime with a robust repair program.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Everlane focuses on modern closet staples and "radical transparency" by sharing details about its factory costs and worker conditions. The brand uses over 50% sustainable materials, including recycled fabrics and organic cotton, and aims to be completely carbon neutral.
Shop now at everlane.com
One of the original pioneers of fair trade fashion, People Tree is certified by the World Fair Trade Organization and uses GOTS-certified organic cotton. They champion artisan crafts and ensure workers are paid a living wage, offering unique, ethically-made clothing for women.
Shop now at peopletree.com
As a certified B Corp, Kotn produces high-quality basics from authentic Egyptian cotton sourced directly from small farms in the Nile Delta. The brand ensures fair pay for farmers, funds school constructions in their communities, and creates timeless, durable apparel built to last.
Shop now at kotn.com
If you're looking for footwear, Veja is a gold standard for transparency and sustainable materials. Their sneakers are made from organic cotton, recycled plastic bottles, and wild rubber sourced ethically from the Amazon rainforest, all within a Fair Trade certified supply chain.
Shop now at veja-store.com
No, Target is not on the same level as ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein. Target has more public transparency, reports on its sustainability goals, and does not have the same extreme volume of new arrivals (Shein adds thousands of new items daily). However, Target's enormous scale means its overall environmental and social footprint is still incredibly large.
There is no evidence that Target ensures all workers in its supply chain earn a living wage. Reports show a significant gap between what workers are officially paid and the calculated living wage needed to cover basic needs in countries like Bangladesh. The company has a goal for "fair wages" but not a guaranteed living wage.
Items made with recycled or organic materials are a better choice than their conventional counterparts. However, these products still represent a minority (~25%) of Target's total offerings. This small percentage does not offset the environmental damage caused by the high-volume production of the other 75% of its inventory.
