What Are Those Giant Red Spheres Outside Target Really For?

If you've ever pulled into a Target parking lot, there's a good chance you've noticed the enormous red spheres positioned near the store entrance.

They're hard to miss.

Bright red, perfectly rounded, and closely associated with Target's unmistakable branding, the giant spheres can look like oversized pieces of outdoor décor. Some shoppers even use them as seats while waiting for someone, and children may be tempted to climb on them.

But there's a practical reason they're there—and it's much more important than simply making the entrance look colorful.

Those giant red spheres are protective bollards designed to help keep vehicles away from the building and pedestrian areas.

The Red Spheres Have a Safety Job

A storefront entrance can be vulnerable to vehicles, even when drivers have no intention of getting anywhere near the building.

A driver could accidentally press the accelerator instead of the brake, lose control of a vehicle, or experience another unexpected problem. In a busy parking lot, even a relatively low-speed collision can cause serious damage.

That's where protective barriers come in.

The large spheres create a physical separation between moving vehicles and areas where customers are walking. If a vehicle leaves its intended path, a properly installed barrier can help stop or redirect it before it reaches the entrance or storefront.

So while they may look playful, their basic purpose is very practical:

They help protect people, property, and the building.

Why Did Target Make Them Giant Red Balls?

Protective bollards don't have to look like spheres.

Around the world, businesses use many different types of vehicle barriers. Some look like metal posts, while others are cylindrical, rectangular, or integrated into landscaping.

Target's version stands out because it fits naturally with the company's visual identity.

The retailer is famous for its bold red-and-white bullseye branding, so using large red spherical barriers makes the safety equipment look like an intentional part of the store's exterior design.

It's a clever combination of function and branding.

Instead of installing a barrier that looks purely industrial, the design becomes another recognizable visual feature associated with the store.

They're Not Just Oversized Decorations

At first glance, it's easy to mistake the spheres for decorative landscaping elements.

Their placement tells a different story.

You'll typically find protective barriers positioned along areas where pedestrians are walking or near portions of a building that could potentially be reached by a vehicle.

That's a common design principle in commercial properties.

Similar protective barriers can be found outside places such as: