Summary (tl;dr)

Target's app and website experienced widespread technical outages on Friday, December 19, 2025, disrupting holiday shopping for many customers attempting to place or track orders and process gift cards, just days before Christmas.

Essential Background

The outage occurred during the crucial final week of holiday shopping, a period when retailers typically experience record-high volumes of online orders. US online shoppers had already spent over $187 billion this holiday season, indicating the significant reliance on digital platforms for purchases.

The Full Story

On Friday, December 19, 2025, Target's mobile app and website went down for numerous users, leading to widespread frustration as customers reported issues with accessing the app, tracking orders, completing online checkouts, and processing gift card transactions. Reports of problems began surfacing early in the morning and steadily increased on outage trackers like Downdetector, with thousands of users flagging disruptions. Target acknowledged the "system issue" affecting its digital experience and confirmed that its teams are actively working to resolve it, while reassuring customers that physical stores remain open for shopping.

Why It Matters

This outage significantly impacts holiday shoppers, many of whom rely on Target's digital platforms for last-minute gift purchases, order pickups, and gift card usage. Customers have expressed anger over being charged for orders without receiving confirmations or seeing their purchases reflected in their order history, leading to concerns about fulfillment and potential financial discrepancies during a critical shopping period. The disruption also highlights the vulnerability of retail infrastructure during peak demand, potentially leading to lost sales and eroding customer trust.

Geographic Location

• United States (widespread digital service disruption)