Target Offers Taste of DailyCandy†

Retailer's Site Will Feature Product Picks, Articles From Newsletter's Editors

Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2009 — Target has its bull's-eye on a new venture: online media.

On Tuesday, the retailer plans to formally announce a partnership with DailyCandy.com, the email newsletter and Web site owned by cable operator Comcast that covers fashion and culture for a mostly female audience.

The venture, called Red Hot Shop, will be a special section of Target.com that will feature products from up-and-coming designers selected by DailyCandy editors, along with articles and artwork by the DailyCandy team. It is part of a broader ad deal in which Target is paying to advertise with DailyCandy; neither side would disclose the value of the deal.

With Shoppers Pinching Pennies, Some Big Retailers Get the Message

New York Times, April 13, 2009 — IN real estate, the saying goes, the golden rule is location, location, location. For retailers in a recession as severe as this one, it is value, value, value.

As shoppers remain reluctant to open their wallets, stores are still scrambling to adjust advertising and marketing strategies to play up the value aspects of what they sell. Even as retail sales data for March suggested improving results at some chains, consumers are hesitating to buy much beyond groceries, gasoline, vitamins and candy.

Warm and Fuzzy Makes a Comeback

New York Times, April 7, 2009 — IF music hath charm to soothe the savage breast, what can calm worried consumers during an economic crisis? Madison Avenue believes one answer is nostalgia.

General Mills, Target Play on Consumers' Nostalgia†

Retro Designs of Their Youth Appeal to Stressed Shoppers' Desire for Comfort

Advertising Age, March 3, 2009 — NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — If food can be comforting, how about packaging? With consumers embracing old-world classics such as casserole, some marketers are trying to get on the bandwagon by trotting out some old-school style. General Mills has given Target a month-long exclusive on retro box designs for some of its best-selling cereals, Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs and Trix.

Stadium Sponsorship Grows to New Levels

New York Times, December 11, 2008 — ALONG with the usual signs from advertisers, the new Indianapolis Colts stadium features a hallway filled with dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines, brought to football fans by the retailer Hhgregg, which is based in Indianapolis. It is the latest frontier in stadium sponsorship, showing how far sports teams are willing to go to attract marketing dollars.

Marketers Reach Out to Loyal Customers†

As Holidays Near, Retailers Tap Statistical Models, Relying More on Targeted Ads Than on Shotgun Approach

Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2008 — With the critical holiday-sales season at hand, there's a new character joining Santa and his elves on the advertising circuit: the analytics geek.

It's number-crunching time. Marketers, their ad budgets under increased scrutiny amid the economic downturn, are mining their customer databases and reaching out to loyal consumers with targeted ads, instead of relying on the traditional yuletide blitz.

Goodbye Seduction, Hello Coupons

New York Times, November 10, 2008 — As the economy rapidly deteriorates from flourishing to floundering, marketers are scrambling to remake their advertising so products seem affordable and sensible rather than indulgent and fabulous. For many big marketers, including automakers, retailers, consumer product companies and even financial services, a major shift in consumer psychology spells an end to the aspirational advertising that has dominated their campaigns for the last decade.

Survey: Wal-Mart Among Best 'Value' Brands†

YouGovPolimetrix places AIG at bottom of insurance heap

Adweek, November 4, 2008 — A recent survey by YouGovPolimetrix revealed that the slumping economy is having a significant impact on how consumers perceive brand value. Budget brands like Wal-Mart and Old Navy were ranked highest by consumers, while more upscale brands and financial services firms ranked lowest, reflecting a loss of consumer confidence.

Ducking the Price War, Target Highlights Fashion

Instead of fighting on Wal-Mart's terms, discount retailer Target is accentuating its core strength: Affordable chic

BusinessWeek, October 1, 2008 — Just a couple of years ago, Target (TGT) was the darling of discount shoppers. The retailer profited from exclusive, stylish goods created by such big-name designers as Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Graves. But in today's rocky economy, Target seems out of fashion. Same-store sales are down, and net income is sinking. Even Target executives pin the troubles in part on the widespread perception that the chain is more expensive than Wal-Mart (WMT) because of its focus on trendy clothes and home accessories.

So how is Target revising its sales strategy as it heads into the holidays? It is actually ramping up its designer collection, with more labels than ever. But the $63.4 billion company is also recalibrating its marketing pitch to highlight low prices. In... continue reading

Target's inner circle

They're brilliantly creative. They're enviably down-to-earth. They're universally imitated. And they're entering one of the most challenging periods the company has faced in 46 years.

FORTUNE, March 18, 2008 — You'd think Robert Ulrich would be warming up for his victory lap right about now. The soon-to-retire CEO of Target Corp. should be easing into a lavish farewell tour filled with teary thank-yous, champagne-soaked sendoffs, and a book of leadership secrets.