Or does it seem like the media is acting like Target, UPS and FedEx all got together and decided to conspire to make a clusterfuck of Christmas on purpose?

Target didn’t turn off all the payment security protocols on Black Friday and say, “Hey, let’s see what will happen now!”  (Also, the problem isn’t just “Target is terrible at security” – it’s an antiquated credit card system in the United States.)

UPS and FedEx cannot control the weather.  They can run model after model to anticipate shipping volume, but they’re just that – models.  It might be spot-on, but there are so many variables that it could very well be wrong.  We just don’t hear about it if the shipping volume is less than predicted – only if it’s higher and there are delays.

While there are tons of companies out there intentionally doing crappy things for a buck – I don’t think these three companies were trying to be the Grinch that stole Christmas.