Target In-Store Toy Catalog Offers Smartphone Users Quick Link to Web

Target is making cross-channel connections easier for smartphone users in its stores this holiday season. Its in-store toy catalog contains quick response codes that, when scanned, take the mobile device immediately to the Web.

"Guests can scan the catalogs' quick response codes with their smartphones and go directly online to further explore items of interest," said Kathee Tesija, executive vice president of merchandising at Target, speaking during a recent conference call discussing the retailer's third-quarter financial results. "Just one more innovative way Target is inspiring guests this holiday."

Gregg Steinhafel, Target's chairman, president and CEO, revealed that the retailer had opened 10 new stores and completed over 100 remodels during Q3, bringing its total for 2010 to 341, "nearly four times the number we've completed in any other year in company history. Combining these projects with the PFresh stores we had in place at the beginning of the year we are now operating 462 general merchandise stores that incorporate the expanded food layout," said Steinhafel.

Target is planning an equally ambitious store opening/remodeling program next year. "For 2011, we expect to set a new record by remodeling about 380 additional stores," said Steinhafel. "Including approximately 20 new store projects, we expect to add about 400 additional locations that incorporate our thinking in store design, layout and presentation. And while we're very pleased with the execution of the 2010 remodel program we believe we can improve the process in 2011, meaningfully reducing the disruption experienced by our guests while helping our store teams manage the process more efficiently."

During the third quarter, which ended October 30, 2010, Target's sales increased 3% over the same period last year, to $15.2 billion, driven by comp store sales increases of 1.6%.