Target Reveals Larger, Modern Store Format
Target this month revealed a new store strategy and design to better serve its guests and team members through same-day fulfillment services and a focus on sustainability and local communities.
While the retailer will continue to open stores of all sizes, it is focusing on larger footprints in the next few years. At nearly 150,000 square feet, the locations are more than 20,000 square feet larger than the chain average.
Target will also bring a reimagined store design — featuring a more open layout and localized elements — to future remodels as well as new stores across its chain, according to a recent news release.
The retailer says it leveraged years of research and learnings to evolve its store strategy and create the updated design, which recently debuted at a new location outside of Houston.
As they continue to roll out, these larger stores will offer shoppers a wider assortment of merchandise and deliver on its stores-as-hubs strategy for digital fulfillment.
Optimized Size
Target’s enhanced stores will feature:
- More space. The layout delivers a backroom fulfillment space that’s five times larger than previous stores of similar size. The additional space will help support the ongoing growth Target has experienced, with its stores fulfilling more than 95% of the retailer’s digital orders and same-day services accounting for more than 10% of its overall sales, according to the release.
- Full range of merchandise. These larger Target stores will offer guests the retailer’s full assortment of merchandise, including expanded food and beverage, exclusive brand partnerships and a curated mix of private-label brands and national brands.
Reimagined Store Design
Target’s evolved store experience will include:
- Increased light and natural elements. Larger windows and a more open layout to let in more natural light. The design also includes more plants and regionally sourced reclaimed wood to create a “welcoming and inspiring space for guests and team members.”
- Localized design features. Target is pulling in community-focused elements to each store’s design, including native landscaping outside the store and localized product offerings within the store.
- Built-in sustainability. The retailer’s stores and operations play a big role in its goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Forthcoming stores and remodels will include updates such as natural (CO2) refrigerants to help lower the retailer’s emissions and EV charging ports for its guests, with many locations including rooftop solar.
- Enhanced team spaces. As part of Target’s continued investments to better serve its team when off the sales floor, modernized offices and team member spaces will provide flexible rooms that can be rearranged to serve varying team needs and offers multiple furniture options such as booth seating.
Starting in 2023, more than half of Target’s roughly 200 full-store remodels and almost all of its 30-some new stores will include elements of the new design. Beginning in 2024, all of Target’s remodels and new stores will feature the majority of the reimagined store design elements.
“Target’s stores are at the heart of how we deliver for our guests, whether they browse the aisles, shop online or stop by for same-day services like Order Pickup and Drive Up,” said John Mulligan, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Target, in the release. “With our reimagined store design and larger store footprint that better supports our same-day services, we can give guests more of what they love while incorporating features that build on our commitment to sustainability, community and helping all families discover the joy of everyday life.”
