Target Vs Emerson: Australia's Retail Battle

is target like emerson in australia

Target Australia and Emerson may be similar in that they are both department stores, but they are entirely different companies. Target Australia, owned by Wesfarmers, is unrelated to the American Target Corporation, despite sharing the same logo and similar branding. With over 280 stores across Australia, Target offers a wide range of products, including clothing, electronics, and home goods. On the other hand, Emerson is a boutique retailer with a smaller presence in the country, focusing on fashion and lifestyle products. While both stores cater to the Australian market, their business models, product ranges, and target audiences may differ, providing a diverse shopping experience for consumers.

Characteristics Values
Number of Target stores in Australia 123
Number of Target Country stores in Australia 93
Total number of Target stores in Australia 284
Year the first Target store opened in Australia 1926
Owner of Target Australia Wesfarmers Limited
Headquarters of Target Australia Melbourne suburb of Williams Landing
Target Australia's relationship with the American Target Corporation No direct relation or affiliation
Type of stores Department stores
Products sold Clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, toys, swimwear, jewellery, bedding, furnishings, fabrics, baby products

shunculture

Target Australia and Target US are not affiliated

Target Australia and Target US are two distinct and unrelated companies with no direct affiliation. Despite sharing a name, logo, and similar types of outlets, the two retail chains are owned and operated by different parent companies. Target Australia, formerly known as Lindsay's Target, is owned by the Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers Limited. On the other hand, Target US, or Target Corporation, is a separate entity with no connection to the Australian Target.

The history of Target Australia dates back to 1926 when George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie opened their first store in Geelong, selling dress fabrics, bedding, and furnishings. The company expanded over the years, and by 1970, it had established its first "Target" store in Newton, South Australia. Myer Emporium, which acquired the chain in 1968, played a pivotal role in its expansion. By 1982, Myer was operating 27 stores under the Target brand.

In contrast, Target US has followed its own trajectory of growth and expansion. While both retailers share similarities in their product offerings, including electronics, clothing, and home goods, they are independently run and managed. Target Australia has undergone significant restructuring in recent years, with store closures and consolidations, and as of 2020, it operated 284 stores across the country, including Target and Target Country stores.

The similarity in branding and logos between the two companies has sparked curiosity and confusion among consumers, with some assuming an affiliation between the two. However, a spokesperson for Target confirmed that there is ""no relationship"" between Target Australia and Target US. Interestingly, despite the lack of a direct relationship, both companies have coexisted without any major legal disputes over their similar identities.

In summary, Target Australia and Target US are not affiliated and represent separate retail businesses operating in their respective regions. While they share a name and similar branding, their histories, ownership, and management are distinct and unique to each country.

shunculture

Target Australia's history

Target Australia has a long history dating back to 1926 when two men, George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie, opened a drapery store in Geelong, Victoria. Lindsay had been running a store in Ouyen, Victoria, but moved to Geelong to increase growth opportunities. The store primarily sold dress fabrics, manchester, and furnishings, and Lindsay's business methodology was "half the profit, twice the turnover".

By 1968, Lindsay & McKenzie Pty Ltd had grown to 14 small stores around Victoria. That year, Myer Emporium Ltd bought the business, and the company became Lindsay's Target Pty Ltd. The first "Target" store opened in Newton, South Australia, in October 1970, with the aim of expanding the business. Within three years, the discount department store had established itself in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales.

In March 1973, the company was renamed Target Australia Pty Ltd, and in August 1985, Myer Emporium Ltd and GJ Coles & Coy Limited merged to become Coles Myer Limited. In 1996, Coles Myer merged the Target and Fosseys brands, introducing the first specialty store, Baby Target, specifically for baby products. In 1998, their second specialty store, Target Home, opened. However, both concepts had limited success and were eventually discontinued.

In 1999, Fosseys stores were converted into Target stores, bringing the total number of Target stores to 27. In late 2006, the group name changed to Coles Group Ltd after the divestment of Myer. In November 2007, Target was acquired by Wesfarmers as part of the acquisition of Coles Group Limited.

In June 2017, Wesfarmers announced that some Target stores would be converted to Kmart stores, while others would be closed. As of 2020, there were 284 Target stores throughout Australia: 191 Target stores and 93 Target Country stores. In May 2020, further store closures and consolidations were announced, impacting up to 1,300 employees.

Despite the identical logo and name, and similar type of outlets, Target Australia is not related to the American retailer Target Corporation. Target Australia is owned by the Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers.

shunculture

Target Australia's product range

Target Australia has no direct relation to the American Target Corporation, despite sharing a name, logo, and similar outlets. The Australian Target is owned by the Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers. As of 2020, Target Australia had 284 stores across the country, including 191 Target stores and 93 Target Country stores.

Target Australia offers a wide array of products, including clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys. The company sells its products both in-store and online. Target Australia also introduced Baby Target as a standalone store format for baby products, but these stores were eventually phased out and replaced by larger Target stores that still stock a wide range of baby products.

The women's clothing range at Target Australia includes everyday basics such as dresses, casual tops, bottoms, skirts, linen pieces, and summer items. They also offer denim and tailored pants for the cooler months, as well as swimwear, resortwear, activewear, and sleepwear.

Target Australia has a similar product range to its American counterpart, and both stores have been described as discount chains. However, they are entirely separate and unrelated companies, with the Australian Target being preferred by some consumers.

shunculture

Target Australia's online presence

Target Australia has an identical logo, name, and similar type of outlets to the American Target Corporation. However, the two companies are entirely separate and unrelated. Target Australia is owned by the Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers.

Target Australia has a strong online presence, offering both in-store and online shopping for its customers. The company's website, target.com.au, allows customers to browse and purchase a wide range of products, including clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys. The website provides a secure and convenient shopping experience, with features such as "Buy Now, Pay Later" options.

In recent years, Target Australia has undergone a significant restructuring, with some store closures and conversions to Kmart stores. As of 2020, Target Australia operated 284 stores across the country, including 191 Target stores and 93 Target Country stores. However, the company has since announced further store closures and consolidations, with a focus on adapting to the changing retail landscape and improving its digital capabilities.

To enhance its online presence and competitiveness, Target Australia launched a rebrand in early 2022 called "That's Target." The new brand positioning aimed to highlight the quality and uniqueness of the Target offering. The company also released new advertisements that connected with customers by portraying the daily struggles of life, paired with catchy phrases such as "That's quality. That's Target."

NCIX Shipping: Australia-Bound?

You may want to see also

shunculture

Target Australia's stores

Target Australia is a department store chain owned by Australian retail conglomerate Wesfarmers. Despite the identical logo and name, and similar type of outlets, Target Australia is not related to the American retailer Target Corporation.

The first Target store in Australia opened in Newton, South Australia, in October 1970. The chain was then known as Lindsay's Target, having been purchased by Myer Emporium in 1968. Within three years, Lindsay's Target had expanded to Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. In 1973, the company dropped "Lindsay's" from its name and became Target Australia.

In 2020, Target had 284 stores throughout Australia, including 191 Target stores and 93 Target Country stores. However, due to a changing retail landscape, some Target stores were converted into Kmart stores, while others were closed. As of 2022, there are 123 Target department stores located throughout Australia, each state and territory having at least two stores.

Target Australia stocks clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys, selling both in-store and online. The company's head office is located in the Melbourne suburb of Williams Landing, which it moved to in 2018.

Frequently asked questions

Target Australia and Emerson are both department stores. However, they are completely unrelated and have different owners. Target Australia is owned by Wesfarmers Limited and has no affiliation with the American Target Corporation, despite sharing the same logo and similar products.

As of 2020, there were 284 Target stores in Australia, including 191 standard Target stores and 93 Target Country stores. However, some stores have closed or been converted to Kmart since then.

Target Australia offers a wide range of products, including clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys.

The first Target store in Australia opened in 1926, founded by George Lindsay and Alex McKenzie. It was originally called Lindsay's and sold dress fabrics, bedding, and furnishings. The name was changed to Lindsay's Target in 1968 when it was purchased by Myer Emporium, and then to Target Australia in 1973.

Aside from the ownership and number of stores, there might be slight differences in the products offered and the overall shopping experience between Target Australia and Target US. Some customers have expressed a preference for Target Australia over its American counterpart.

Written by

Explore related products

Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment