Target news 

We review Target’s fourth quarter performance and how its focus on creating an omnichannel strategy, optimising its stores for ecommerce fulfillment, is underpinning sales growth and cost reduction. Winning in stores and online Target delivered a strong finish to the year with comparable sales up 5.3%, and comparable store sales up 2.9%. This reflects the continued strong growth of its digi...

FedEx has launched an autonomous delivery service, the FedEx SameDay Bot. It is collaborating with a range of partners to help assess their autonomous delivery needs. Tackling the complexities and costs of same-day delivery Same-day, hyper-local delivery has come into focus in the US over the last 12 months as retailers aim to optimise their stores as a competitive advantage within the ecom...

Target has launched an online marketplace, Target+, enabling it to significantly expand its online range. Curated range complements existing offer The launch of Target+ enables the retailer to offer products from third-party sellers. It will curate the range to align with the needs of its shoppers, enhancing its existing product offer. Initially, it will focus on key categories including ho...

Following the launch of a pilot a program in Dallas-Fort Worth last year, Target is expanding the test of its new loyalty programme, Target Circle, to additional cities. Launching the programme in six additional cities Later this month, Target will launch the pilot programme in Charlotte, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Phoenix. Target Circle enables shoppers to receive 1% cash back o...

We look at how Target is aiming to grow its share in the baby category through private label development. Extending Cloud Island private label Following the exit of Toys R Us and Babies R Us from the US market last year, opportunities to gain share in the toys and baby categories emerged. Building on its private brand expertise, Target is extending its Cloud Island brand into baby essential...

We look at Target’s performance across the holidays and new leadership changes, including within its food business. Benefitting from investments to capture share in toys Target delivered a strong performance over the holiday period in November and December, with comparable store sales up 5.7%. This was a significant improvement on the 3.4% growth it delivered last year and accelerated its t...

Target is partnering with Germany’s Metro AG to launch a new startup accelerator programme, the METRO Target Retail Accelerator. Seeking ways to differentiate the business and develop new technologies Target established its accelerator programme for startups three years ago in conjunction with Techstars. It aims to identify startups which can help the business further differentiate its offe...

We review Target’s third quarter performance as it heads into the critical holiday season. Comp stores sales up 5.1% Target’s second quarter net revenue increased 5.6% to $17.8bn. Comparable sales growth increased 5.1%, with traffic up 5.3%. Operating income fell 3.3% to $819m. This continues the impressive sales performance the retailer has delivered year-to-date. It expects comparable sal...

We look at the strategies of some of the major US retailers, for who Black Friday is a major event and a kick-off to the critical holiday season. Sales impact spread across five-day weekend Although Black Friday is the traditional key shopping day in the US, with many retailers opening their doors a day earlier on Thanksgiving Day and launching pre-Black Friday deals, this has become a mult...

Target is launching a new private label, Smartly, helping it to compete with discount and dollar store ranges in the US. Most items cost less than $2 The Smartly range will initially consist of a range of everyday products across household and personal care categories. It has been developed to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers, with most products costing less than $2, and around 70% cheap...