Target Class Action Lawsuit: Product Photos Mislead Consumers

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Target misled consumers with product photos that misrepresent the size of its shelves and bookcases.

Consumers Affected: Consumers in the U.S. who bought Target shelves or bookcases.

Court: Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri

Target is under fire for allegedly misleading consumers with photos on its product packaging that misrepresent the size and capabilities of its shelves and bookcases. A new lawsuit claims the company used doctored images to make its furniture appear larger than it is, violating consumer protection laws and breaching warranties.

Target Bookcase Doesn't Match Advertised Photo, Lawsuit Claims

St. Louis resident Clayton Merritt filed the lawsuit after purchasing a Room Essentials three-shelf bookcase in December 2023. According to Merritt, the product packaging featured an image showing the shelves holding full-sized vinyl records and a record player with ease. However, after assembling the bookcase, Merritt discovered that the shelves were five to six inches too shallow to accommodate the items shown in the photo.

Merritt alleges the photo was intentionally altered to mislead buyers about the bookcase’s dimensions. He argues he would not have purchased the product had he known it couldn’t fit the items depicted. The lawsuit seeks to represent all U.S. consumers who bought Target shelves or bookcases within the applicable time frame.

Other Lawsuits Allege Misleading Practices by Target

This isn’t the first time Target has faced scrutiny for allegedly misleading its customers. The retailer has been hit with several lawsuits in recent years related to product claims:

• Gas Relief Medication: A class action lawsuit accuses Target of overstating the dosage amounts of its Up & Up Maximum Strength Gas Relief Simethicone Softgels.
  
  
• Diaper Pail Refills: Parents have sued Target over its Up & Up Diaper Pail Refills, claiming the product doesn’t last as long as advertised.
  
  
• Pasta Sauces: A lawsuit alleges that Target’s Good & Gather pasta sauces falsely claim to be free from synthetic preservatives while containing citric acid, a synthetic ingredient.
  
  
• Bandages with PFAS: Target’s Up & Up Bandages are under scrutiny for allegedly containing harmful chemicals known as PFAS, which may pose health risks.
  
  
• Delivery Fees: Another lawsuit claims Target and its delivery service, Shipt, misled customers with hidden delivery fees and deceptive "bait-and-switch" tactics.

In the Target misleading product photos lawsuit, Merritt wants to represent anyone from across the country who bought any of the company’s shelves or bookcases in the statute of limitations. He is suing for breach of warranty and violations of state consumer laws and is seeking more than $25,000 in damages for affected consumers, interest, costs, and fees.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Merritt v. Target Corporation
• Case Number: 4:24-cv-01458
• Court: Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis State of Missouri

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Benjamin McIntosh (SWMW Law LLC)

Have you purchased shelves or bookcases from Target? Share your experience with their product photos and descriptions in the comments below.