1962–71: Founding of Target [edit]
In 1966, Bruce Dayton launched the B. Dalton Bookseller specialty chain, which became the largest hardcover bookseller in the United States.[8] The bookseller chain was named after the founder, but with the y in Dayton replaced with an l. Target Stores expanded outside of Minneapolis by opening two stores in Denver, Colorado and sales exceeded $60 million.
In 1967, the Dayton Corporation was established and it went public with its first offering of common stock. It opened two more Target stores in Minnesota resulting in a total of nine units.[citation needed] It also acquired the San Francisco-based jeweler Shreve & Co., which it merged with its previously acquired J.B. Hudson & Son to become Dayton Jewelers.[7]
In 1969, it acquired the Boston-based Lechmere electronics and appliances chain that operated in New England and the Philadelphia-based jewelry chain J.E. Caldwell.[7] It expanded Target Stores into Texas and Oklahoma with six new units and its first distribution center in Fridley, Minnesota.[11] The Dayton Company also merged with the Detroit-based J.L. Hudson Company that year, to become the Dayton-Hudson Corporation, the 14th largest retailer in the United States, consisting of Target and five major department store chains: Dayton's, Diamond's of Phoenix, Arizona, Hudson's, John A. Brown of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Lipmans. The company offered Dayton-Hudson stock on the New York Stock Exchange. The Dayton Foundation changed its name to the Dayton Hudson Foundation, and Dayton-Hudson maintained its 5% donation of its taxable income to the foundation.[7]
In 1970, Target Stores added seven new units, including two units in Wisconsin, and the 24-unit chain reached $200 million in sales.[10] Dayton-Hudson acquired the Team Electronics specialty chain that was headed by Stephen L. Pistner.[12] It also acquired the Chicago-based jeweler C.D. Peacock, Inc., and the San Diego-based jeweler J. Jessop and Sons.[7]
1971–82: Turnaround [edit]
]
In 1972, the other fourteen units from the Arlan's acquisition were reopened as Target stores to make a total of 46 units. As a result of the its rapid expansion and the top executives' lack of experience in discount retailing, the chain reported its first decrease in profits since its initial years. Its loss in operational revenue was due to overstocking and carrying goods over multiple years regardless of inventory and storage costs. By then, Dayton Hudson considered selling off the Target Stores subsidiary.[10]
In 1973, Stephen Pistner, who had already revived Team Electronics and would later work for Montgomery Ward and Ames, was named chief executive officer of Target Stores, and Kenneth A. Macke was named Target Stores' senior vice president. The new management marked down merchandise to clean out its overstock and by allowing only one new unit to open that year.[10]
In 1975, Target opened two stores, reaching 49 units in nine states and $511 million in sales. That year, the Target discount chain became Dayton-Hudson's top revenue producer.[10]
In 1976, Target opened four new units and reached $600 million in sales. Macke was promoted to president and chief executive officer of Target Stores. Inspired by the Dayton Hudson Foundation, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce started the 5% Club (now known as the Minnesota Keystone Program) which honored companies that donated 5% of their tax incomes to charities.[7]
In 1977, Target Stores opened seven new units, and Stephen Pistner became president of Dayton Hudson, with Macke succeeding him as chairman and chief executive officer of Target Stores. The senior vice president of Dayton Hudson, Bruce G. Allbright, moved to Target Stores and succeeded Kenneth Macke as president.
In 1978, the company acquired Mervyns and became the 7th largest general merchandise retailer in the United States. Target Stores opened eight new stores that year, including its first shopping mall anchor store in Grand Forks, North Dakota.[15]
In 1979, it opened 13 new units to a total of 80 Target stores in eleven states.[10] Dayton-Hudson reached $3 billion dollars in sales, with $1.12 billion coming from the Target store chain alone.[7]
In 1980, Dayton-Hudson sold its Lipmans department store chain of six units to Marshall Field's, which rebranded the stores as Frederick & Nelson.[9] That year, Target Stores opened seventeen new units, including expansions into Tennessee and Kansas. It also acquired the Ayr-Way discount retail chain of 40 stores and one distribution center from Indianapolis-based L.S. Ayres & Company.
In 1981, it reopened the stores acquired in the Ayr-Way acquisition as Target stores. Stephen Pistner left the parent company to join Montgomery Ward, and Kenneth Macke succeeded him as president of Dayton Hudson.[16] Floyd Hall succeeded Kenneth Macke as chairman and chief executive officer of Target Stores. Bruce Allbright left the company to work for Woolworth, where he was named chairman and chief executive officer of Woolco. Bob Ulrich also became president and chief executive officer of Diamond's Department Stores.[17] In addition to the Ayr-Way acquisition, Target Stores expanded by opening fourteen new units and a third distribution center in Little Rock, Arkansas, to a total of 151 units and $2.05 billion in sales.[10]
1982–2000: Nationwide expansion [edit]
Since the launch of Target Stores to this point, it had focused its expansion in the Central United States. In 1982, it expanded into the West Coast of the United States by acquiring 33 FedMart stores in Arizona, California, and Texas and opening a fourth distribution center in Los Angeles.[18] Bruce Allbright returned to Target Stores as its vice chairman and chief administrative officer, and the chain expanded to 167 units and $2.41 billion in sales. It sold the Dayton Hudson Jewelers subsidiary to Henry Birks & Sons of Montreal.[7]In 1983, the 33 units acquired from FedMart were reopened as Target stores. It also founded the Plums off-price apparel specialty store chain with four units in the Los Angeles area, with an intended audience of middle-to-upper income women.
In 1984, it sold its Plums chain to Ross Stores after only 11 months of operation, and it sold its Diamond's and John A. Brown department store chains to Dillard's.[19][20][21] Meanwhile, Target Stores added nine new units to a total of 215 stores and $3.55 billion in sales. Floyd Hall left the company and Bruce Allbright succeeded him as chairman and chief executive officer of Target Stores. In May 1984, Bob Ulrich became president of the Dayton Hudson Department Store Division, and in December 1984 became president of Target Stores.[17]
In 1986, the company acquired 50 Gemco stores from Lucky Stores in California, allowing Target Stores to become the dominant retailer in Southern California as the chain grew to a total of 246 units. It also opened a fifth distribution center in Pueblo, Colorado. Dayton-Hudson sold the B. Dalton Bookseller chain of several hundred units to Barnes & Noble.[8]
In 1987, the acquired Gemco units reopened as Target units, and Target Stores expanded into Michigan and Nevada, including six new units in Detroit, Michigan, to compete directly against Detroit-based Kmart, leading to a total of 317 units in 24 states and $5.3 billion in sales. Bruce Allbright became president of Dayton Hudson, and Bob Ulrich succeeded him as chairman and chief executive officer of Target Stores.[17] The Dart Group attempted a takeover bid by aggressively buying its stock.[22] Kenneth Macke proposed to the State of Minnesota six amendments to their 1983 anti-takeover law, and his proposed amendments were passed that summer. This prevented the Dart Group from being able to call for a shareholders' meeting for the purpose of electing a board that would favor Dart if their bid were to turn hostile.[23] Dart originally offered $65 a share, and then raised its offer to $68. The stock market crash of October 1987 ended Dart's attempt to take over the company, when Dayton Hudson stock fell to $28.75 a share the day the market crashed.[7] Dart's move is estimated to have resulted in an after-tax loss of about $70 million.[24]
In 1988, Target Stores expanded into the Northwestern United States by opening eight units in Washington and three in Oregon, to a total of 341 units in 27 states. It also opened a distribution center in Sacramento, California, and replaced the existing distribution center in Indianapolis, Indiana, from the Ayr-Way acquisition with a new one.[10]
In 1989, it expanded by 60 units, especially in the Southeastern United States where it entered Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to a total of 399 units in 30 states with $7.51 billion in sales.[10] This included an acquisition of 31 more stores from Federated Department Stores' Gold Circle and Richway chains in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, which were later reopened as Target stores.[18] It also sold its Lechmere chain that year to a group of investors including Berkshire Partners, a leveraged buy-out firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, eight Lechmere executives, and two local shopping mall executives.[11]
In 1990, it acquired Marshall Field's from BATUS Inc. and Target Stores opened its first Target Greatland general merchandise superstore in Apple Valley, Minnesota. In 1991, Target Stores had opened 43 Target Greatland units, and sales reached $9.01 billion.
In 1992, it created a short-lived chain of apparel specialty stores called Everyday Hero with two stores in Minneapolis.[18] They attempted to compete against other apparel specialty stores such as GAP by offering private label apparel such as its Merona brand.
In 1993, it created a chain of closeout stores called Smarts for liquidating clearance merchandise, such as private label apparel, that did not appeal to typical closeout chains that were only interested in national brands.[25] It operated four Smarts units out of former Target stores in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Des Moines, Iowa, El Paso, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana that each closed out merchandise in nearby distribution centers.[26]
In 1994, Kenneth Macke left the company, and Bob Ulrich succeeded him as the new chairman and CEO of Dayton-Hudson.[12]
In 1995, Target Stores opened its first SuperTarget hypermarket in Omaha, Nebraska. It also closed the four Smarts units after only two years of operation.[26] Its store count increased to 670 with $15.7 billion in sales[27]. It launched the Target Guest Card, the discount retail industry's first store credit card.[7]
In 1996, J.C. Penney Company, Inc., the 5th largest retailer in the United States, offered to buy out Dayton Hudson, the 4th largest retailer, for $6.82 billion. The offer, which most analysts considered less than the current valuation of the company's worth, was rebuffed by Dayton Hudson, saying it preferred to remain independent.[7][28] Target Stores increased its store count to 736 units in 38 states with $17.8 billion in sales, and remained the company's main area of growth while the other two department store subsidiaries underperformed.[27] The middle scale Mervyn's department store chain consisted of 300 units in 16 states, while the upscale Department Stores Division operated 26 Marshall Field's, 22 Hudson's, and 19 Dayton's stores.[7]
In 1997, both of the Everyday Hero stores were closed.[29] Target's store count rose to 796 units, and sales rose to $20.2 billion.[27] In an effort to turn the department store chains around, Mervyn's closed 35 units including all of its stores in Florida and Georgia. Marshall Field's sold all of its stores in Texas and closed its store in Milwaukee.[7]
In 1998, Dayton-Hudson acquired Greenspring Company's multi-catalog direct marketing unit, the Rivertown Trading Company, from Minnesota Communications Group, and it acquired the Associated Merchandising Corporation, an apparel supplier.[30][31] Target Stores grew to 851 units and $23.0 billion in sales.[27] The Target Guest Card program had registered nine million accounts.[7]
In 1999, Dayton-Hudson acquired Fedco and its ten stores in a move to expand its SuperTarget operation into Southern California. It reopened six of these stores under the Target brand and sold the other four locations to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and the Ontario Police Department, and its store count rose to 912 units in 44 states with sales reaching $26.0 billion.[15][27][32] Revenue for Dayton-Hudson increased to $33.7 billion, and net income reached $1.14 billion, passing $1 billion for the first time and nearly tripling the 1996 profits of $463 million. This increase in profit was due mainly to the Target chain, which Ulrich had focused on making it feature high-quality products for low prices.[7] On September 7, 1999, it relaunched its Target.com website as an e-commerce site and as part of its discount retail division. The site initially offered merchandise that differentiated its stores from its competitors, such as its Michael Graves brand.[33]
In 2001, it launched its online gift registry, and in preparation for this it wanted to operate its upscale Department Stores Division, consisting of 19 Dayton's, 21 Hudson's, and 24 Marshall Field's stores under a unified department store name. It announced in January that it was renaming its Dayton's and Hudson's stores to Marshall Field's. The name was chosen for multiple reasons: Out of the three, Marshall Field's was the most recognizable name in the Department Stores Division, its base of Chicago was bigger than Dayton's base of Minneapolis and Hudson's base of Detroit, Chicago was a major travel hub, and it was the largest chain of the three.[7] Target Stores expanded into Maine, reaching 1053 units in 47 states and $33.0 billion in sales.[27][35] Around the same time, the chain made a successful expansion into the Pittsburgh market, where Target capitalized on the collapse of Ames Department Stores that happened coincidentally at the same time as Target's expansion into the area.
In 2002, it expanded to 1147 units, which included stores in San Leandro (Bayfair Mall), Fremont, and Hayward, California, and sales reached $37.4 billion.[15]
In 2003, Target reached 1225 units and $42.0 billion in sales.[15] Despite the growth of the discount retailer, neither Marshall Field's nor Mervyn's were adding to its store count, and their earnings were consistently declining. Marshall Field's sold two of its stores in Columbus, Ohio this year.[7]
On June 9, 2004, Target Corporation announced its sale of the Marshall Field's chain to St. Louis, Missouri-based May Department Stores, which would become effective July 31, 2004. As well, on July 21, 2004, Target Corporation announced the sale of Mervyns to an investment consortium including Sun Capital Partners, Inc., Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., Lubert-Adler/ Klaff and Partners, L.P., which was finalized September 2. Target Stores expanded to 1308 units and reached $46.8 billion USD in sales.
In 2005, Target began operation in Bangalore, India.[36] It reached 1397 units and $52.6 billion in sales.[15]
In 2006, Target completed construction of the Robert J. Ulrich Center in Embassy Golf Links in Bangalore, and Target planned to continue its expansion into India with the construction of additional office space at the Mysore Corporate Campus and successfully opened a branch at Mysore.[36] It expanded to 1488 units and sales reached $59.4 billion.[37]
On January 9, 2008, Bob Ulrich announced his plans to retire as CEO, and named Gregg Steinhafel as his successor. This is due to Target Corporation policy which requires its high-ranking officers to retire at the age of 65. Ulrich's retirement as CEO was effective May 1, but he remained the chairman of the board until the end of the 2008 fiscal year.
On March 4, 2009, Target expanded outside of the continental United States for the first time. Two stores were opened simultaneously on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, along with two stores in Alaska. Despite the economic downturn, media reports indicated sizable crowds and brisk sales. The opening of the Hawaii stores leaves Vermont as the only state in which Target does not operate.
In June 2010, Target announces its goal to give $1 billion to education causes and charities by 2015. Target School Library Makeovers is a featured program in this initiative.
In August 2010 and "after a lengthy wind-down", Target began a nationwide closing of its remaining 262 garden centers, reportedly due to "stronger competition from home-improvement stores, Walmart and independent garden centers. In addition, starting September 2010, numerous Target locations have added a fresh produce department to their store. "[38]
=Wikipedia.
1961
Making it Official
On May 9, 1961, the Minneapolis Tribune reports that The Dayton Company plans to form a new discount chain store. The store's new president, Douglas J. Dayton, draws upon the company's vast wealth of department store experience and states that the new store will, "combine the best of the fashion world with the best of the discount world, a quality store with quality merchandise at discount prices, and a discount supermarket...75 departments in all." Shopping at the new, currently unnamed store will be fun, delightful and welcoming to the entire family. The stores will include wide aisles, easy-to-shop displays, fast checkout and, "loads of well-lighted parking…for 1,200 cars."
1962
Creation of an Icon
In the months before the first Target store opens its doors, former Dayton's Director of Publicity Stewart K. Widdess, is tasked to name and define the new retail store. Widdess and his staff debate more than 200 possible names. In a burst of red-and-white inspiration, they come up with "Target" and immediately envision a classic Bullseye logo. The reasoning behind the choice was, "As a marksman's goal is to hit the center bulls-eye, the new store would do much the same in terms of retail goods, services, commitment to the community, price, value and overall experience."
1962
The Birth of Target
On May 1, 1962, guests in the Twin Cities area wake to the news of Target's first grand opening in Roseville, Minn. Heralded as a, "new idea in discount stores," Target differentiates itself from other retail stores by combining many of the best department store features — fashion, quality and service — with the low prices of a discounter. Created as, "a store you can be proud to shop in, a store you can have confidence in, a store that is fun to shop and exciting to visit," by the end of 1962, Target opens additional locations in St. Louis Park, Crystal and Duluth, Minn.
1963
Holidays at Dayton's
In 1963, Dayton's brings the magic of the holidays and beloved children's stories to life through a new holiday auditorium show. The free event becomes an annual tradition as guests stroll through animated vignettes and visit Santa's workshop. Over the next four decades, memorable tales such as A Christmas Carol, Cinderella and Harry Potter are brought to life for entire families to enjoy.
1963
The Joys of Summer
Dayton's celebrates summer by transforming the entire store into a kaleidoscope of color and activity. Corner window displays are converted into a working, old-fashioned ice cream parlor and an outdoor BBQ. Inside, guests can relax on convenient park benches next to a bubbling fountain or be entertained by an eight-piece band, flower and balloon vendors, fashion shows and more.
1966
Target opens its first stores outside of Minnesota in the Denver metro area.
1967
Growth on a National Scale
After a decade of significant growth, Dayton's transforms itself from a regional department-store company to a national retailer. The company's Initial Public Offering (IPO) is Oct. 18, 1967. President Donald C. Dayton takes the new position of chairman of the board, and Bruce B. Dayton steps into the president role. The corporation has five autonomous divisions: Dayton's department stores, Target Stores, B. Dalton Bookseller, Dayton Jewelers and Dayton Development Company. The corporate expansion opens new doors and becomes the first step in bringing Dayton's foundation of affordable, quality fashion, innovative management, community giving and good corporate governance to a national audience.
1968
Updating the Bullseye
In the late 1960s, Target expands across the country to the metro areas of St. Louis, Dallas and Houston. The Bullseye logo design is revamped into a more direct, memorable and poignant symbol of the company — what it stands for and offers to all guests everywhere.
1969
First Distribution Center
In Fridley, Minn., the corporation opens its first distribution center—a warehouse responsible for storing and shipping trailer loads of products to Target stores.
1969
A New Partnership
Dayton Corporation joins forces with the J.L. Hudson Company of Detroit to create the Dayton-Hudson Corporation. The two companies have similar merchandising philosophies and decades of commitment to outstanding corporate governance. The celebration of this new partnership includes a three-day long flower show on Wall Street. The merger establishes the corporation as one of the 15 largest non-food retailers in the nation.
1970
1970
Earth Day Volunteers
In the 1970s, Dayton-Hudson Corporation observes Earth Day by giving out pine trees to guests and supporting store team members who volunteer to plant trees and clean parks in Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma.
1973
Lending a Helping Hand
Holiday Helpers, a program first conceived of by Jim Simms, store manager in Moline, Ill., offers a great holiday-shopping event for our senior and disabled guests by providing personal shopping assistance in a friendly, festive shopping environment. In 1974, the popular event goes chain-wide and becomes an annual event.
1974
Shopping Made Easy
As Target grows, so does our commitment to providing guests with a consistent shopping experience at every store, no matter the location. In 1974, we introduce our first planograms, which help team members deliver clean, uncluttered and in-stock merchandise presentations. Today, planograms are an integral part of our guests' shopping experience.
1975
Target Stores becomes the No. 1 revenue producer of the Dayton-Hudson Corporation.
1975
Now in Your Sunday Paper
Target introduces its weekly newspaper advertisement.
1977
Family Management Transition
In the 1950s, the Dayton family paves the way for new leadership. Seeing the need for superior managerial talent to succeed in a competitive retail environment, they adopt philosophies that encourage advancement and establish organizational success as a top priority. Donald, Wallace and Douglas Dayton cede their management responsibilities and retire by 1978.
1978
Dayton-Hudson Corporation purchases Mervyn's of California.
1979
An Organizational Milestone
Target Stores celebrates an organizational milestone after achieving $1 billion in annual sales by holding our first Billion Dollar Sale for guests. The Billion Dollar Sale thanks all Target guests visiting our 74 stores in 11 states as Target continues to strive to be the best store in town.
1980
1983
Recognition of Community Involvement
President Ronald Reagan awards the Dayton-Hudson Foundation the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities Medal of Honor for its community giving in arts and social welfare.
1983
Daytons Retire From Board of Directors
Bruce B. Dayton and Kenneth N. Dayton retire from the Dayton-Hudson Corporation Board of Directors, ending 80 years of direct family involvement with the company.
1983
Target opens its first stores in Southern California.
1985
Santabear Arrives at Dayton's
In 1985, Dayton's guests shopping on the day after Thanksgiving find a new arrival in stores—a cuddly white plush bear named Santabear. Created by senior toy buyer Paul Starkey, the first department store doorbuster of its kind is instantly popular. and within three days of its first appearance in stores, 400,000 bears find a new home. In the years following its smash debut, Santabear's popularity spreads nationwide through television specials and community events. Updated annually with a new outfit and adventure, over the next two decades Santabear becomes a must-have collectible item for the holiday season.
1988
Target opens its first stores in the Pacific Northwest.
1988
Innovation Through Technology
In the mid-1980s, manufacturers begin to test and implement UPC bar-code packaging technology. In 1988, Target becomes the first mass merchandiser to introduce UPC scanning at all Target stores and Distribution Centers. The revolutionary new technology contributes to the evolution of the in-store shopping experience through greater inventory management, increased automation, and most importantly, a shorter wait time at the checklane. The result is a more efficient and enjoyable shopping experience for guests and team members.
1989
Exploration of the Polar Continent
Target becomes the lead sponsor of the International Trans-Antarctica Expedition. Minnesotan Will Steger and Frenchman Jean-Louis Etienne lead a team composed of representatives from six nations to traverse the polar continent. The expedition becomes a world-wide learning tool for environmental and scientific issues of Antarctica as classrooms across the country learn about the unique ecosystem and wildlife of the frozen continent through classroom activities, workshops and televised specials. The journey, completed in 1990, marks the first west-east, unmechanized traverse of Antarctica.
1989
A New Contender in the World of Racing
Now open in 32 states, Target partners with Chip Ganassi to form Target Chip Ganassi Racing. In the years to come, the new racing partnership embodies all the best aspects of what the company represents — speed, excitement, a modern flair, trend setting and success.
1989
Grand Opening in the Southeast
On April 30, Target opens 30 new stores in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, becoming a national retailer with stores from coast-to-coast. To share our brand experience of Fast, Fun and Friendly service and quality goods at discounted prices, Target partners with country-music group The Judds to create TV and print advertisements to promote the new stores.
1990
1990
Purchasing a Legendary Retailer
Dayton-Hudson Corporation purchases Marshall Field's, a legendary Chicago-based department store founded in 1852, from Batus Inc., the American arm of B.A.T. Industries P.L.C. The addition increases the corporation's size and scale, positioning Dayton-Hudson as the premier department store company in the Midwestern United States.
1990
Sometimes You Just Need a Bigger Target
On Sept. 30, 1990, Target Greatland is unveiled in Apple Valley, Minn. Fifty percent larger than a standard Target store, Greatland includes many changes that help create a better shopping experience for guests. The new store features amenities such as wider aisles, faster and more efficient checklanes, and automatic teller machines (ATMs). The new store layout also includes more service options, such as Food Avenue, expanded pharmacy and photo services, and electronic information stations with price scanners. The innovative superstore combines superior guest service, great in-store design, and fashionable, affordable merchandise.
1993
Target Expands to Chicago
Target opens 11 stores in the Chicago metropolitan area in one day — the most store openings in any one city on the same day to date.
Map reprinted with permission from Rand McNally.
Map reprinted with permission from Rand McNally.
1994
Evolution of Our Brand Promise
Target Stores unveils its brand promise, Expect More. Pay Less.® to reflect the unique retail experience offered at Target. The brand promise is a natural evolution of Target's commitment to community giving and offering guests value, quality and service, all in a fun and inviting store environment.
1995
Target Offers Credit
The first Target store credit card, known as the Target Guest Card, launches in 1995. It's followed in 2001 by the Target Visa® Credit Card, the first company credit card to be accepted at major retailers nationwide. Renamed REDcards in 2004, the portfolio of credit products expands to add the Target Check Card in 2007.
1995
First SuperTarget® Store Opens
Recognizing that busy shoppers don't always have time to visit several stores in one shopping trip, Target develops the SuperTarget store to provide guests with the convenience of one-stop shopping. The first SuperTarget — which includes a grocery section with fresh produce, dairy, meat — opens in Omaha, Neb., in 1995.
1995
Registry from Coast-to-Coast
Target becomes one of the first mass-market retailers to offer a comprehensive gift-registry service. The introduction of Club Wedd® at Target brought together the latest registration technology, a convenient self-service environment and exclusive merchandise available at low discount prices. Within the first year, more than 125,000 couples register.
1995
Archer Farms® Debuts
Target introduces Archer Farms, an exclusive line of premium grocery products. Upon initial launch, Archer Farms includes grocery staples such as bread, milk, pasta and bottled water.
1996
Restoration of a National Treasure
Target joins the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation's effort to restore the Washington Monument by donating $1 million and becoming the five-year lead sponsor. Target even helps to recruit renowned architect and designer Michael Graves to develop unique restoration approaches — including an artful web of steel scaffolding covered with semi-transparent architectural fabric and hundreds of gleaming lights.
1997
Target Welcomes Snowden
Snowden, the plush collectible snowman, makes his first appearance in Target stores just in time for the holiday season. The collectible snowman plush creates a blizzard of excitement after he stars in his first hour-long special with figure skating legends Ekaterina Gordeeva and Scott Hamilton. Over the next several years, guests have the opportunity to take home a new Snowden and a variety of themed merchandise every year.
1997
Recognition for Being a Good Neighbor
Target's Good Neighbor volunteer program, today known as Target Volunteers, receives the President's Service Award from President William J. Clinton. The award is the highest national honor given for corporate volunteer efforts.
1997
Target Supports Education
To help give educators the tools they need to inspire students to embrace learning, Target launches Take Charge of Education®. Through this innovative program, Target donates up to 1 percent of REDcard® purchases at Target or Target.com to eligible K-12 schools. Schools can use the money for anything they choose, such as textbooks and playground equipment. Since 1997, Target has donated more than $320 million to K-12 schools across the country.
1998
Dayton-Hudson Corporation purchases the Associated Merchandising Corporation (AMC).
1999
A New Beauty Genre at Target
In 1997, make-up artist Sonia Kashuk collaborates with supermodel Cindy Crawford on the instructional beauty workbook, Basic Face. During the promotional tour, she is inspired to create a completely new beauty genre — professional makeup at affordable prices.
In 1999, Sonia Kashuk partners with Target to introduce the Sonia Kashuk Professional Makeup Collection, featuring advanced formulas and elegant packaging at an amazing value. Over the years, the product line grows to include fragrance, skin care, nail color and innovative cosmetics accessories while never wavering on the principals of un-compromising style, design, quality and value.
In 1999, Sonia Kashuk partners with Target to introduce the Sonia Kashuk Professional Makeup Collection, featuring advanced formulas and elegant packaging at an amazing value. Over the years, the product line grows to include fragrance, skin care, nail color and innovative cosmetics accessories while never wavering on the principals of un-compromising style, design, quality and value.
1999
Target Moves Online with Target.com
Target launches Target.com, allowing guests to shop a wide assortment of fashionable, affordable merchandise from the comfort of their own home.
1999
Pioneering Design for All
After working with Target and the National Park Service to design scaffolding for the Washington Monument restoration, world-renowned architect Michael Graves becomes the first of more than 75 designers to create an exclusive line of products for Target.
1999
Bullseye Dog Makes His First Appearance
The original Bullseye, an English Bull Terrier named Arielle, makes his first appearance in a television commercial. Viewers instantly fall in love. In the ensuing years, Bullseye goes on to star in several advertisements and makes numerous celebrity appearances on the red carpet. In 2006, Bullseye becomes the second dog ever to have his likeness displayed in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
1999
First Gift Cards
Target sells its first GiftCards.
1999
A Home Away from Home
In 1997, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® an organization in Memphis, Tenn., committed to treating all patients regardless of their ability to pay, plans to buy a hotel to solve their long-term housing challenge. With the assistance of generous guests and vendors, Target steps in and funds the construction of Target House®, a home-away-from-home for families with children undergoing treatment for chronic illnesses. Since opening in 1999, more than 1,337 families from 42 states and 36 countries have passed through Target House® and found it to be a place of love, support, community and hope.
2000
2000
Dayton-Hudson Corporation is renamed Target Corporation to better reflect its core business.
2000
The Target Weekly Ad makes its first appearance on Target.com.
2001
Now Open in 47 States
In July, Target Stores passes a major milestone as a national retailer after opening its 1,000th store. Guests have 1,000 reasons to celebrate with a greater selection of style and value in more locations. With stores in every contiguous state except Vermont, Target has a presence from coast to coast.
2001
Market Pantry® Debuts
Target introduces its exclusive private label, Market Pantry.
2002
Popping Up in Unexpected Places
In December, Target introduces one of the first ever Pop-Up stores with Target Boat at Chelsea Pier in New York City. The limited-time, and sometimes mobile, store allowed us to foster a deeper relationship with our Manhattan-area guests by delivering the Target brand in a new, innovative way.
2003
Target introduces the Red Hot Shop on Target.com.
2004
Associated Merchandising Company is renamed Target Sourcing Services.
2004
Target launches its in-store dollar section, See. Spot. Save.®
2004
Eat Well. Pay Less.®
Target continues to be the ultimate one-stop shopping destination by increasing its availability of grocery products at stores in 2003. In 2004, Target introduces the SuperTarget tagline "Eat Well. Pay Less.®" This is our promise to provide a great selection of unique, affordable grocery items as a complement to the hip and fashionable low-priced merchandise for which Target is known.
2004
Target sells retail chains Marshall Field's and Mervyn's.
2004
Summer in the Hamptons
Target turns a local landmark into the Bullseye Inn—the ultimate home and garden store for the chic Hamptons crowd. The historic-home-turned-Pop-Up-store is outfitted in stylish Target merchandise, with a special focus on products for summer living and entertaining.
2005
For the first time, Target exceeds $50 billion in annual sales.
2005
Target launches Sutton and Dodge®, an exclusive premium meat brand.
2005
Target launches choxie®, an exclusive premium line of chocolates.
2005
The Future of Pharmacy Is Clear
After her grandmother accidentally ingests her grandfather's medicine, designer Deborah Adler partners with Target to create ClearRxSM, an innovative pharmacy concept that improves the way people take medication. Available at Target Pharmacies, the program features an easy-to-read bottle and color-coded rings, which help minimize the chance of taking the wrong dose or confusing medications between family members.
2005
Target & BLUETM
Target creates Target & BLUE, a way to share technology, security expertise and other resources with law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. In addition to community partnerships such as Safe City, Target creates Law Enforcement Grants to help fund equipment, training and programs to enhance community safety.
2005
A New View on Fashion
Target turns the runway upside down during an electrifying Vertical Fashion Show in New York City. This one-of-a-kind event features world-class athletes/models scaling the walls of a nine-story tower in Rockefeller Center on a 100-foot "vertical catwalk." The event showcases the Target Fall Women's and Men's collections in a surprising and fun way.
2006
SuperTarget® Goes Organic
Target becomes a USDA certified-organic produce retailer, one of the first grocers in the country to do so. To meet these guidelines, the produce is guaranteed to meet USDA organic standards on everything from how it's grown and transported to how it's stocked in our stores. Today, the average SuperTarget carries more than 600 organic items.
2006
Redesigning a Classic
Target redesigns an icon of consumer culture: the shopping cart. Made of recycled plastic, the new shopping cart has a clean, modern look designed to make the shopping experience easier. Continuous handles are added for ergonomic comfort, lightweight plastic makes it easier to handle, and the old wire backrest for kids is replaced by smooth plastic.
2006
Innovation in Design
Target unveils GO International®, an innovative, limited-time-only fashion program designed to provide affordable fashion created by emerging designers. British designer Luella Bartley rolls out the exciting fashion initiative with a traveling boutique in a trademark-red London double-decker bus. The mobile boutique hits the streets of New York for three days only before the new collection launches in all Target stores. Since 2006, more than a dozen world-renowned designers have been featured in the GO International program.
2006
Traveling Target Style
Target welcomes attendees of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Italy with special Bullseye-branded trains. Passengers hop aboard for a railway ride from Torino to various event sites, often with a specially branded cowbell or horn to get them into the spirit of the games.
2007
Target Corporation introduces the Target Check Card.®
2007
Celebration of a Giving Milestone
In January, Target celebrates a monumental milestone: giving more than $3 million per week to local communities. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income to our communities to make positive changes in education, arts, social services and volunteerism.
2008
Target's Food Distribution Center
In August, the corporation opens its first Target-owned food distribution center in Lake City, Fla. The new facility is specially designed to distribute perishables such as meat, produce, frozen foods and dairy.
2008
Hello, Alaska!
Target opens its first stores outside the continental U.S. in Anchorage and Wasilla, Alaska. The store design and merchandise assortment cater specifically to the Alaskan market and include sections for fishing supplies and cold-weather gear.
2008
Target School Library Makeover Program
The Target School Library Makeover Program launches through a partnership with The Heart of America Foundation. Through library remodels, donations of more than 1 million books and thousands of volunteer hours, the program has brought new life into school libraries across the United States.
2009
Aloha, Hawaii!
Target opens its first stores in Hawaii on the islands of Oahu and the Big Island. Long before the doors open, Target embraces the Hawaiian culture by taking part in a native Hawaiian ceremony to bless the land in which the new stores will stand. The store environment and merchandise assortment caters specifically to Hawaiian guests and includes specially printed red Hawaiian shirts and surfboards.
Histrorical Pics.
.png){kind=logo}
.png){kind=logo}
No comments:
Post a Comment