Target Corporation External Environment Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to discuss Target’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This paper will also talk about how Porter’s Five affects Target’s business decisions.

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is the leading large-format general merchandise and discount retailer in the U.S., challenging Wal-Mart in electronics, toys and apparel while also seeking to differentiate with higher-end fashions and products for an upscale audience. As of the close of their latest fiscal year (FY2011), Target operated approximately 1,760 stores encompassing 233,000 square feet in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The company is divided into the retail and credit card divisions and moves the majority of its products through a highly integrated network of 37 different distribution centers, which include four food distribution centers. Target is one of the most well-entrenched large format retailers in the U.S., has the ability to manage their pricing strategies at a level of accuracy and precision that is comparable to Wal-Mart (Henderson, 2001). Unlike Wal-Mart, Target concentrates on a value-based message that concentrates on quality and price differentiation to sustain their gross margins while Wal-Mart concentrates on supply chain efficiency and a continual reduction of supplier and transaction costs (Krishnamurthi, 2001).

The aim of this paper is to highlight the strategic position of the company with an overview of its internal and external environment. The study of its strategy, design and other forces, one can easily gauge why and how target has managed to become the retail giant it is today.

The Target Corporation is a general merchandise retailer that opened up in in 1962 under the parent company of Dayton Corporation. This parent company was renamed the Target Corporation in 2000 and are based out of Minneapolis. There are over 1,800 Target stores throughout the United States which includes Targets and Super Targets. In 2005 Target began expansion in India and in 2011 to Canada however this expansion into Canada did not fare well and all Target Canada stores were closed by 2015. According to Forbes in 2005 they we ranked amongst the highest cash-giving companies in America with 2.1% given and they donate about 5% of its pre-tax operating profit. In 2010 Target was ranked number 22 by Fortune magazine’s World's Most Admired Companies.

Target sells a wide variety of general merchandise and food through the store and with the use modern technology. Target’s broad-spectrum

A possible acquisition for Target would be the addition of Best Buy. Best Buy has been struggling as of late and has basically become a showroom for items that people will go elsewhere to purchase at a lower price. Best Buy suffers for its lack of variety and people will rather go shop at places such as Target and Wal-Mart. Target could also benefit from this merger by acquiring Best Buy’s brand presence and experience in selling electronics and appliances. Best Buy currently operates too many stores, and is in a dire need of a stronger presence online and has a dwindling reputation of taking care of its customers. It would be a good idea for Target to remake its electronics sections into Best Buy mini-stores and utilize its strengths in customer service to strengthen these departments. Replacing Best Buy larger stores could be smaller Best Buy locations in smaller towns and more strategic areas with the backing of a strong Target- Best Buy internet presence. Target could also utilize Best Buy’s biggest asset Geek

Target Corporation is known worldwide as a large retail chain that brings in millions of dollars each fiscal year. The ability to remain competitive in a saturated industry could prove difficult to some retailers, but Target remains one of the leaders in the retail market. With success comes risk. Target Corporation competes against online retailers as well as “big box” stores to remain competitive.

• Target will need to focus on cost cutting in order to reduce their prices that are applied to the products.

This report examines Target Corporation’s performance in a detailed strategic audit. The audit includes an external, internal and strategic analysis as well as a recommended course of action. The findings of the audit recommend a robust on-line/mobile presence to complement in-store sales, and to increase future earnings to remain competitive by building upon physical assets, brand value and logistical capabilities.

This report will be based on the Target Corporation, and will consist of two sections: 1) long-term financing policy and capital structure, and 2) an acquisition analysis. The first section will include: Target's most recent long-term financing decision; an analysis of the economic, business, and competitive background in which the financing occurred; Target's book value and market value; possible changes that would occur to Target's finance policy and capital structure if it was forced to consider re-organization and bankruptcy strategies; and finally discuss Target's international investment and financing

Target Corporation has recognized itself as one of the top retailers in the United States market on the basis of excellent service quality, customer experiences, operational excellence, strong financial position, and a wide array of product offerings. Through its high degree of service orientation at physical outlets and adoption of fair business practices, Target Corporation has become the most distinctive retailer in the eyes of its potential customers. Being one of the top-notch retailers in the United States, Target Corporation has to carefully strategize on its business operations and marketing tactics so as to keep itself in the row of competitive brands of the industry.

In my personal opinion, Target should continue to develop a specific portfolio that is specifically targeted to its customer’s needs and likes, while focusing on maintaining the same product quality and variety for each store brand. Through its marketing strategy, the retailer has to assure the consumer they are purchasing the same quality product as if they were buying a national brand at a more affordable price; which at the end is more convenient for the consumer and does not have to sacrifice quality. Target should also expand to the South and Northeast where there are still plenty of attractive locations with no Target presence. This will attract more customers and consequently strengthen its store brands.

Target Corporation is one of the largest retail companies in the U.S that employs many diverse products and technique as part of its operations. Target Corporation 's overall diversification

Others argue that the ability for substitution is low. The ability of the stores in the retail industry to adjust to the substitutes abilities is what helps to keep the retail industry viable. For example, one of the substitutes for large retail companies were DIY videos, at home gardens, and pinterest (Hafez, 2014). Target has taken advantage of those avenues and partnered with the ventures to funnel consumers back to their stores to gain access to the resources necessary to participate in those activities. They have also ventured into grocery delivery that can be ordered online and Internet grocery shopping with in store pick-up. But the potential for a start-up to capture a significant amount of market share is relatively

The purpose of this paper is to perform an analysis on Target and K-Mart. By doing this analysis we will find out what each company does well, where the failures are and what they can do to keep the company alive and profitable. We will begin by looking at Target as a whole and then identify a successful business strategy and show how that strategy has moved Target into one of the leaders of the industry. We will then look at K-Mart as a company and then move on to identifying a failed business strategy and show how that strategy is holding K-Mart back within the industry. We will than