Photo: Target
Target has invested in building up its fulfillment network over the past couple of years and executives regularly talk about the chain’s goal of becoming the easiest place for consumers to shop in America. With the holiday season coming up fast, Target is doubling down on that positioning with the announcement that it will offer free two-day shipping on hundreds of thousands of items bought online with no minimum purchase required between Nov. 1 and Dec. 22.
Brian Cornell, CEO of Target, said free two-day shipping combined with other services — including Shipt same-day delivery in 46 states, Drive Up service in 1,000 stores, in-store pickup of online orders, and Target Restock and delivery from stores in Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. — gives his company an edge against all its rivals heading into Christmas.
“When you combine these services with our incredible assortment of exclusive brands, everyday low prices and skilled team, I’m confident Target will be America’s easiest and most enjoyable place to shop for the holidays and beyond,” Mr. Cornell said in a statement.
Target is heading into the holiday season on a sales roll. The retailer announced in August that its quarterly same-store sales had reached a 13-year high. Target has announced that it has more than doubled the number of new and exclusive toys it is carrying for the holidays and that it is expanding and remodeling space in 500 locations to make the experience
The chain’s shipping news follows an announcement this week that Walmart is expanding free two-day delivery to millions of items sold by third-party sellers on its marketplace.