Target Corporation Shares: The Rise And Fall Of The Target Industry

Politics have an influence on Target in that they influence regulations in the retail industry, which in turn affect the way the company regulates the cost of its products. A political factor such as the healthcare bill will influence the cost of medicine in the market and therefore Target will adjust its prices based on the regulations caused by political influence. On the other hand, the retail industry is influenced by the liberalization of the international trade, which involves the lowering of US tariffs and the availability of low-cost labor. These political factors positively influence the operations of Target corporation (Kahle, 2012).

Target has been a successful retail company coming in 2nd place behind Wal-Mart. Although these success comes in many forms there are factors that deter Target from ever reaching first. Target Corporation has run into a few weaknesses in the recent years. These weaknesses that Target are facing can impact their future goals. These weaknesses include lawsuits that Target is facing with the recent events and not having an international presence.

Headquartered in Minneapolis Minnesota, Target Corporation is one of the largest chains of retail stores in United States and Canada (Stone, 1995). Founded in 1902, the chain now has more than 360,000 employees worldwide. The company operates nearly 1925 stores out of which 1795 stores are in the US and 130 stores are in Canada (NASDAQ, 2014). The business prides itself in a diverse portfolio of merchandise that their outlets houses, ranging from dry groceries to electronics, furniture, apparel and much more. Its distribution networks make use of third party vendors, direct shipping as well as distribution centers. It also operates a successful e-store target.com which offers customers a virtual one-stop shop for their needs.

The companies I am studying are Wal-Mart and Target. Both are major discount retailers, general merchandisers who compete as cost leaders. These companies both very large, big enough to execute on their strategies effectively. Yet one has chosen the path of international growth and the other has not yet, pending expansion into Canada in 2013.

Target leadership developed a long term strategic plan is beyond day-to-day activity with a sustainable growth aligning with corporate purpose statement and core values. The leadership team developed a strategic plan that addressed how and what it does reflecting its mission enhancing shareholder values, keeping customer focused in central for whom it does. The Target leadership sets the objectives to specific performance target as a way to convert the vision and mission.

Target Corporation did not started out as Target but Dayton Department Store. The founder of Dayton Department store is George D. Dayton. Mr. Dayton, was banker and realtor from New York. In 1902 Mr. Dayton decided to move to Minneapolis and open up his department stores. In 1960 the Dayton family had a new vision and decided change from a department store to a “discount retailing.” In 1962, President/CEO Doug Dayton, open the first four Targets in Roseville, Saint Louis Park, Crystal and Duluth, Minneapolis (corporate.target 2014)

This paper explores seven references that report the results from research conducted on-line regarding the 2013 Target breach. According to the website “Timeline of Target 's Data Breach And Aftermath: How Cybertheft Snowballed For The Giant Retailer” (2015), the breach occurred November and December 2013 in which customers who shopped at Target locations credit and debit cards were breached and their personal information was exposed. Upon their investigation, it was determined their point of sale system was hacked. “Wikipedia” states point of sale system which is used by third party vendors has cash registers as well as barcodes which stores customer’s information. The website “What is Packet Sniffer” (2016), Packet Sniffing may have been a way the attacked happened. “RAM Scraping Attack” website indicates what RAM means and how this type of attack happens. “What is a Firewall in Networking and How They Protect Your Computers” (2014), “What is Endpoint Security? Data Protection 101” and “Why SSL? The Purpose of using SSL Certificates” websites each provide ways to reduce and/or prevent future attacks.

This paper explores seven references that report the results from research conducted on-line regarding the 2013 Target breach. According to the website “Timeline of Target 's Data Breach And Aftermath: How Cybertheft Snowballed For The Giant Retailer” (2015), the breach occurred November and December 2013 in which customers who shopped at Target locations credit and debit cards were breached and their personal information was exposed. Upon their investigation, it was determined their point of sale system was hacked. “Wikipedia” states point of sale system which is used by third party vendors has cash registers as well as barcodes which stores customer’s information. The website “What is Packet Sniffer” (2016), Packet Sniffing may have been a way the attacked happened. “RAM Scraping Attack” website indicates what RAM means and how this type of attack happens. “What is a Firewall in Networking and How They Protect Your Computers” (2014), “What is Endpoint Security? Data Protection 101” and “Why SSL? The Purpose of using SSL Certificates” websites each provide ways to reduce and/or prevent future attacks.

According to Mergent “Target has had their net capital spending increase each of the three years. The chief purpose why it has increased is due to the fixed assets and depreciation expenses both increasing each year. The net fixed resources developed at a related rate each year while the devaluation expenditure developed at a higher rate from 2011 to 2012 than it did from 2012 to 2013” (Mergent Inc. 2013).

It has recently come to my attention that Target Co. utilizes data mining to extract a wide spectrum of information about its customers by accumulating, analyzing and storing data about customer purchases. While I understand that this practice enables Target Co. to simultaneously deliver individually targeted advertisements across its diverse customer groupings, thereby increasing the potential for sales and improving customer retention, I also understand that large amounts of data unearthed by data mining can be manipulated to uncover hidden purchasing patterns to predict and shape future purchase decisions. Therefore, although there are significant benefits to using data mining, there are also serious costs associated with data mining that

Nearly everyone is at least somewhat familiar with Target stores; the famous bullseye logo is identifiable all across the United States. With the motto "Expect More, Pay Less", the company suggests that customers can expect more of everything, at more reasonable prices.1 Target's commitment to the consumer, as well as it's employment consideration and management style led Fortune Magazine to name it as one of the Most Admired Companies in 2005.

Target revised, estimated2009 depreciation expense is lower because of the longer average useful life of Walmart’s assets.

Cost Leadership is Walmart’s generic strategy. Walmart’s focus is on maintaining low prices of goods and services. Walmart is known for low prices, which is the main selling point of the business. The company keeps its prices low through cost reduction in operations.

If Target were forced to consider re-organization and bankruptcy strategies the changes that may occur to its finance policy and capital structure could be devastating. Target is currently the number two retailer behind Wal-Mart, but would change with any sort of re-organization or bankruptcy. Target would have to liquidate its inventory in order to repay its debt. It would also have to close plants and cut employees to reduce overall costs. Target would also have to sell many of its assets and plants around the

Marketing Mix Target, One of the largest retail stores in the U.S offers a wide array of products for every type of consumer. A recent study showed that ¼ of all U.S. primary household shoppers visit a Target store at least once a month (“Chain Store Age”). Product Target launched organic foods and beverages, sold under the Archer Farms label, into their stores. Target has also introduced a line of food focused on quality ingredients and no GMO’s (Target), this introduction of organic, healthy, and non GMO foods appeal to a younger and health conscious market.