Ruqayyah Snyder
Target Australia and Target US have an identical logo, name, and similar type of outlets. However, the two companies are unrelated and have no affiliation with each other. Target Australia, formerly Lindsay's and Lindsay's Target, is owned by Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers. The company's head office is located in the Melbourne suburb of Williams Landing. On the other hand, the American Target stores are owned by the Minnesota-based Target Corporation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Target stores in Australia | 124 |
| Owner of Target Australia | Wesfarmers |
| Owner of Target US | Minnesota-based Target Corporation |
| Number of Target stores in the US | N/A |
| First Target store in Australia | 1926 |
| First Target store in the US | 1962 |
| Founders of Target Australia | George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie |
| Founders of Target US | John Geisse and Douglas Dayton |
| Headquarters of Target Australia | Melbourne |
| Headquarters of Target US | Minneapolis |
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What You'll Learn
- Target Australia and Target US have identical logos and similar names
- Target Australia is owned by Wesfarmers, an Australian retail conglomerate
- Target US is owned by the Minnesota-based Target Corporation
- Target Australia was founded in 1926 by George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie
- Target US was founded in 1962 by John F. Geisse
Target Australia and Target US have identical logos and similar names
Target US, on the other hand, opened its first store in Roseville in 1962. Four years later, the discount retailer filed its first trademark claim, followed by another claim in 1967 that covered its bull's-eye logo. In 1968, Target Australia, then known as Lindsay's Target Pty Ltd., adopted the Target name. Despite the identical logos and similar names, the two companies have never had any affiliation. In fact, Target Corporation has stated that it has "no affiliation" with Target Australia.
The similarity in trademarks between Target Australia and Target US has led to some confusion among consumers. Some experts believe that the two companies must have reached some kind of deal, as it would be a "strange coincidence" for them to have independently come up with the same name and logo. However, others argue that retail was primarily a local business fifty years ago, and the idea of the two Targets crossing paths seemed remote. With the growing prominence of the Internet, however, consumers can now easily access both Target Australia and Target US websites, blurring the geographic boundaries between the two companies.
Despite the lack of affiliation, Target Australia has embraced its resemblance to Target US in its advertising. The Australian company has launched several exclusive design collections, a strategy favored by its American counterpart, and has even used the word "Tarzhay" in one of its website videos. Target Australia has also used the nickname "Targé" or "Tarjay" in its own advertising, a nickname that is also sometimes used jokingly for the American Target Corporation.
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Target Australia is owned by Wesfarmers, an Australian retail conglomerate
Target Australia and Target US have no direct relation or affiliation despite sharing a similar logo, name, and type of outlets. Target Australia, formerly known as Lindsay's and Lindsay's Target, is owned by Wesfarmers, an Australian retail conglomerate. The first Target store in Australia opened in 1926 in Geelong, Victoria, founded by George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie, selling dress fabrics, bedding, and furnishings. Lindsay's business methodology was 'half the profit, twice the turnover', which pioneered discount retailing.
Over the years, the business changed hands several times. In 1957, Lindsay sold the original store to Geoff Betts and John Wade, who expanded the business to 14 stores across Victoria. In 1968, Myer Emporium Ltd. acquired the company, and it became Lindsay's Target Pty Ltd. In 1973, the company name was changed to Target Australia Pty Ltd. During this period, the company expanded throughout Australia, opening stores in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales.
In 1985, Myer Emporium Ltd. and GJ Coles & Coy Limited merged to become Coles Myer Limited. In 1996, Coles Myer Limited merged the operations of its subsidiary Fosseys with Target, converting many Fosseys stores into Target stores. In 2006, the group name changed to Coles Group Ltd. after the divestment of Myer. Finally, in 2007, Wesfarmers acquired Target Australia as part of its acquisition of Coles Group Limited.
Today, Target Australia provides employment for over 13,000 people across the country and has a product sourcing presence in Asia. It offers a wide range of products, including clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys, both in-store and online. There are currently 124 Target department stores across Australia.
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Target US is owned by the Minnesota-based Target Corporation
Target Australia and Target US have no direct relation or affiliation despite sharing a similar logo, name, and type of outlets. Target Australia is owned by the Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers, while Target US is owned by the Minnesota-based Target Corporation.
The history of Target Australia can be traced back to 1926 when George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie opened their first store in Geelong, Victoria, selling dress fabrics, bedding, and furnishings. Lindsay's business methodology was 'half the profit, twice the turnover', and this pioneering approach to discount retailing laid the foundation for the company's growth. Over time, Lindsay's expanded throughout Victoria, and by 1968, Lindsay & McKenzie Pty Ltd had established 14 small stores. This caught the attention of Myer Emporium Ltd, which acquired the business, leading to the formation of Lindsay's Target Pty Ltd in 1973. The company underwent another rebranding in August 1985 when Myer Emporium Ltd and GJ Coles & Coy Limited merged to become Coles Myer Limited.
On the other hand, the Target Corporation, the parent company of Target US, has its roots in the Dayton corporation founded by businessman George Dayton in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1902. The original Target retail store was co-founded by John Geisse and Douglas Dayton, the CEO of the Dayton corporation, in 1962. John Geisse worked for the Dayton corporation and played a pivotal role in establishing the first discount store that would eventually bear the namesake of the company. In 1969, the Dayton corporation merged with the J.L. Hudson Company, resulting in the formation of the Dayton-Hudson Corporation. The parent company underwent a renaming process in 2000, emerging as the Target Corporation.
While both Targets share a resemblance in branding and name, they are independently owned and operated by distinct companies. Target Australia, owned by Wesfarmers, has established its presence across Australia, offering a wide range of products, including clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys. Target US, under the ownership of the Target Corporation, operates exclusively within the United States as of 2023.
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Target Australia was founded in 1926 by George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie
By 1957, Lindsay and McKenzie's store was acquired by Geoff Betts and John Wade, who expanded the business to 14 stores across Victoria by 1968. That year, Myer Emporium Ltd. bought the business, and the company became Lindsay's Target Pty Ltd. In 1970, the first "Target" store opened in Newton, South Australia, marking the company's expansion beyond Victoria. In 1973, the company name was changed to Target Australia Pty Ltd, and Lindsay's was dropped from the brand name.
Target Australia has no direct relation or affiliation to the American retailer Target Corporation, despite the identical logo, name, and similar type of outlets. Target Australia is owned by the Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers, while Target Corporation is owned by the Dayton-Hudson Corporation, now known as the Target Corporation, founded in Minneapolis by George Dayton in 1902.
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Target US was founded in 1962 by John F. Geisse
Target Australia and Target US have identical logos and similar names and types of outlets, but they are not directly related or affiliated. Target Australia is owned by the Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers.
John Geisse's concept for Target was to “offer high-quality merchandise at low margins because we are cutting expenses". This strategy aimed to attract customers by offering more upscale, trend-forward merchandise at lower costs, rather than focusing on low-priced goods. As a result, Target tends to attract younger customers with a median age of 40, compared to its competitors.
Target Australia, on the other hand, was established in 1926 by George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie, who opened a drapery store in Geelong, Victoria. The store primarily sold dress fabrics, bedding, and furnishings. Lindsay's business methodology was "half the profit, twice the turnover". Over time, the business expanded throughout Australia, and in 1973, the company became known as Target Australia Pty Ltd.
In summary, while Target Australia and Target US share similar branding and names, they are separate entities with different ownership and histories. Target US, founded by John F. Geisse, has evolved from its parent company, the Dayton Company, into the modern-day Target Corporation. Meanwhile, Target Australia, founded by Lindsay and McKenzie, has undergone various acquisitions and rebrandings to become the Australian retail chain it is today.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Despite the identical logo, name, and similar type of outlets, Target Australia carries no direct relation or affiliation to the American retailer Target Corporation. Target Australia is owned by the Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers Limited.
Target Australia sells clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys, both in-store and online.
There are currently 124 Target department stores in Australia. The first store opened in 1926, and by 1982, there were 27 stores under the Target brand.
Target only operates in the United States as of 2023. In the past, Target attempted to bring their stores to Canada, but this venture failed.
