The Target

The story and evolution of Target Corporation began with a simple concept: fashionable cloths at affordable prices. George D. Dayton founded what would become known today as Target Corporation. The first store George D. Dayton started was named Marshall Field & Company and was founded in 1881. After 21 years in business George Dayton opens a second company named Goodfellows. A year later he founds Dayton Dry Goods Store and 8 years later it becomes The Dayton Company.

In 1918 the Dayton Foundation is created with an endowment of 1 million dollars. This philanthropic act will set the stage for Target Corporations future contributions to the community. In 1946 The Dayton Company's corporate bylaws enact a practice of giving 5% of all pretax profits back to the community in which its stores are located. In effort to extend further into the community The Dayton Company opens its first discount merchandising store in 1962 - Target Store. In 1969 the Dayton Corporation and The J.L Hudson Company merge becoming The Dayton Hudson Corporation and in 1975 Target Stores becomes it's #1 revenue producer. Three years later The Dayton Hudson Corporation purchases Mervyn's and becomes the 7th largest retailer.

In the 1980's Target Corporation marketing leads the company to the pinnacle of advertising. In 1985 the weekly newspaper advertisements for Target is second only to the Sunday comics as America's most read insert. Additional emphasis is placed on enhancing the customer experience and in 1987 Target introduces electronic scanning to all of it's checkout registers. Additionally, new software processing expedites the distribution center delivery process ensuring Target stores are effectively stocked.

The 1990's prove to be an active times for parent company The Dayton Hudson Corporation as well as Target. In 1990 The Dayton Hudson Corporation acquires Marshall Field's and opens the first Target Greatland®. In further effort to enhance the customer experience Target introduces their first corporate branded store credit, now know as the REDcard. 1995 also marks the year the Target opens it's first SuperTarget® store in Omaha, Nebraska. They also launch a bridal registry known as Club Wedd® and the following year a baby gift registry