John Minchillo/AP Images
Target faced massive technical difficulties on Saturday, as customers across the US found themselves unable to check out at the retailer.
- Target cash registers across the US crashed on Saturday afternoon, creating long lines and crowds of frustrated customers unable to check out from stores.
- The incident was dubbed "The Great Target Outage of '19" on social media, with many comparing Target's struggles to the disastrous Fyre Festival.
- "We're aware that guests are currently unable to make purchases at Target stores," Target tweeted at 3:08 p.m. ET. "Our teams are troubleshooting now and we apologize for the inconvenience. We will provide an update as soon as possible."
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Target faced massive technical difficulties on Saturday, as customers across the US found themselves unable to check out at the retailer.
At around 2 p.m. ET, Target customers at locations across the US began reporting malfunctioning cash registers on social media. Soon, long lines formed, as customers were unable to check out.
According to one Target employee who reached out to Business Insider, workers were told that the retailer was facing a global cash register outage. Other employees shared similar reports on social media.
Employees handed out free samples to frustrated customers.
Others asked that customers not lash out at Target workers - who were stressed themselves.
The systems issue - dubbed "The Great Target Outage of 2019" on social media - soon took on almost mythical qualities.
Some compared the incident to the disastrous Fyre Festival.
"We're aware that guests are currently unable to make purchases at Target stores," a Target representative said in an e-mailed statement to Business Insider. "Our teams are troubleshooting now and we apologize for the inconvenience. We will provide an update as soon as possible."
Witnessing the great target outage of 2019. Of course we'd be here for this. #targetdown pic.twitter.com/RF7IUdGi4b
- Pammy Boulas (@panagiotab16) June 15, 2019The elderly woman behind me is shouting to all who will listen: "this is not a country bumpkin operation! Surely there is some sort of secret backup technology!" #targetcrash2019
- Jessica Kielblock (@JessKills) June 15, 2019Stay strong and remain calm. #target #greatregisterouttage2019 pic.twitter.com/ftg4fuxUr5
- Dezzie Thompson (@Desi4theDay) June 15, 2019Store employee (plus Twitter) says this is happening nationwide. #target #targetdown https://t.co/trEbFmhl3P
- Nancy Yang (@n_yang) June 15, 2019This entire #Target is at a standstill. Employees said the computer system is down globally. Wondering if anyone else is standing in a line like this? pic.twitter.com/bAA1YWOr87
- Hunter Sowards (@huntersowards3) June 15, 2019"I have two kids, now I have to go to a whole other store. I just want to buy this stuff. I HAVE TWO KIDS." -suburban mom at #target during #TargetApocalypse2019
- Matthew Hayes (@matthewd23) June 15, 2019#targetdown Target Starbucks handing out samples to guest's while the registers are down. My heart goes out to the employees dealing with mad costumers. pic.twitter.com/1NSQAaK5Ld
- victor vulpine (@victor_vulpine) June 15, 2019All the registers at #Target are down nationwide but we're making the most of it! pic.twitter.com/OdUvOXOOrW
- Dan Clemens (@dan_clemens) June 15, 2019All of the registers are down at Target. They're passing out rations to appease the crowd pic.twitter.com/FmlbHG7iii
- Wesley Boutilier (@WesleyBout) June 15, 2019Please don't harass Target Team Members, we have no control over Target falling. Be kind & be patient during our Armageddon #targetdown
- Sooshi (@iiTsSooshi) June 15, 2019Me when the manager says "it's a global issue. All registers are down." #target #getoutNOW pic.twitter.com/4QdT8FKcPM
- Geena Driven (@GeenaDriven) June 15, 2019Where were you during the Great Target Outage of '19?
- Patrick J. (@pattyotool) June 15, 201937 minutes into the Great Target Reckoning of '19. Just saw a man eat his own foot. #target pic.twitter.com/aOpG7fgWuE
- Chicago Film Scene (@chifilmscene) June 15, 2019Target is currently under a "global cash register outage" and I think this is the closest I've ever been to experiencing an apocalypse. I think people are gonna start rioting soon.
- Jen Jacobs (@JenJacobs_) June 15, 2019Yo, I'm at target and it just became Fyre Fest.
- Samuel Arias (@imsamarias) June 15, 2019Target's registers being down is the Fyre Fest of 2019 pic.twitter.com/GEx2Okw7me
- Ariana (@arianafeller) June 15, 2019