Target News Now

03/03/2011 - 11:29

Grocery gains again fuel Target’s comp growth

February same-store sales at Target advanced 1.8%, thanks to the addition of fresh food and consumables that are part of an aggressive remodeling program causing more people to shop its stores.

02/28/2011 - 17:28

Target’s $100 billion blueprint

The solid fourth-quarter financial results Target reported last week were quickly overshadowed by long-term growth objectives that gave stakeholders a clear idea of where the company is headed in terms of sales and profits. Target expects its annual sales, currently about $66 billion, to reach the $100 billion mark within six to seven years, and current earnings per share of $4 will at least double over that same time frame.

If those goals sound lofty and the time frame ambitious, it’s worth reviewing some of the growth drivers the company has in place and those which are yet to take hold.

02/28/2011 - 17:23

Pricing gap holds steady

Target’s longstanding pricing philosophy of remaining within a few percentage points of Walmart remains intact, according to the most recently monthly pricing survey from Credit Suisse.

02/28/2011 - 16:24

The Walmart wildcard in Target’s guidance game

Target is set to report February same-store sales this Thursday and offer the first data point of the new fiscal year in which same-store sales are forecast to increase in the range of 4% to 5%. For February, the company has forecast a low single-digit increase and last week in conjunction with the release of fourth-quarter results confirmed it was on track to meet the low single-digit number.

As for the full year and the projected 4% to 5% gain, Target expects much of the growth to be driven by the PFresh program and REDcard Rewards, but plenty of challenges and uncertainties loom.

02/28/2011 - 16:14

Cleaned up credit portfolio makes for attractive acquisition

Target’s credit card portfolio is looking a whole lot more attractive to potential acquirers following improvements in the delinquency rates, risk profile and strong profit growth.

02/18/2011 - 14:27

All about the outlook

The retail world takes center stage this week as financial markets are poised to dissect a slew of earnings reports from major retailers who will be sharing details on the profitability of holiday sales, perspective on the state of the economic recovery and the outlook for consumer spending during the remainder of 2011.

Target is among the companies scheduled to report, but before its numbers are released on Thursday plenty of competitors will have shed light on their operations. Companies such as Walmart, Macy’s, Home Depot, Office Depot and Barnes & Noble are scheduled to release earnings on Tuesday followed on Wednesday by Lowes, TJX, Limited, Dollar Tree and Chicos. On Thursday, in addition to Target, other companies reporting results include Gap, Safeway, Kohl’s and Sear’s Holdings. JCPenney is scheduled to report on Friday.

02/18/2011 - 14:03

Small format gets a new name

So Target plans to call its new small format stores CityTarget. It was a little over a year ago the company first disclosed plans to open stores ranging from 60,000-sq.-ft. to 100,000-sq.-ft. in urban locations, but the new name was revealed only last week in connection with the announcement of a 2012 opening of a small store in downtown Chicago.

Not quite sure what to make of the new name, but the folks in Target’s marketing department know a thing or two about branding so the inclination is to give the company the benefit of the doubt that the choice is a wise one.

02/18/2011 - 13:38

Limited-edition international offering coming soon

Some spring fashion excitement is on tap for Target stores beginning March 13 when the company celebrates the fifth anniversary of its GO International designer program.

02/18/2011 - 13:15

A new approach to guide political donations

The Associated Press is reporting that Target has revised its policy governing political donations following a flap last year that tarnished the company’s progressive image.

02/16/2011 - 11:29

CityTarget is name for retailer’s small format

Another Target store is coming to downtown Chicago as the retailer disclosed it would open a small-format store under the new CityTarget banner in the Sullivan Center development at South State Street and Madison.