Target Corporation

Target Corporation's discount retail chain in the United States has 1,400 stores in 47 states (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and Vermont) that operate under the mastheads of Target, Target Greatland, and SuperTarget. The first Target store opened in 1962 in Roseville, Minnesota. Target Corporation has aggressive plans to have 2,010 stores open by the year 2010.

While many Target stores share a fairly common layout, the company has been known to be flexible with its designs. There are about 30 multi-level stores in urban areas (including downtown Minneapolis), where a one-level Target is not practical. One unique feature used by these stores is a specialized escalator, called a Vermaport, used to transport shopping carts between levels. This concept has also been used to build Targets from former Montgomery Ward and Younkers stores.

Target stores are generally 95,000 to 125,000 square feet (12,000 mІ) and carry hardlines ("normal" products and goods), softlines (clothing), and a limited amount of groceries, usually non-perishable.

Target Greatland stores average about 150,000 square feet (14,000 mІ) and carry a larger selection of general merchandise than basic Target stores. However, they do not have a full line of groceries. The first Target Greatland opened in Apple Valley, Minnesota in 1990 and has since been remodeled and expanded, becoming a SuperTarget.

SuperTargets are about 175,000 square feet (16,000 mІ) and carry everything a smaller Target does in addition to a grocery store, including produce, deli, meats, and baked goods. The first SuperTarget opened in Omaha, Nebraska in 1995, and the second SuperTarget opened in Lawrence, Kansas later that same year. Currently, Target operates 158 SuperTarget stores in 21 states.

In order to create a niche for itself, Target is known for differentiating itself from competitors like Kmart and Wal-Mart by offering more upscale, trend-forward merchandise. In fact, Target refers to itself as a "discount department store" instead of just a discount store.

Some examples of how Target differentiates itself from competitors are:

* Target designs its stores to be more attractive than Wal-Mart by having wider aisles, drop ceilings, and a more attractive presentation of merchandise.

* Target has many exclusive deals with various designers, including Isaac Mizrahi, Michael Graves, Mossimo, and