Target to open store on Amazon

By Andrea Lillo -- Home Textiles Today, 9/17/2001 12:00:00 AM

MINNEAPOLIS —

Target and Amazon.com have announced a five-year alliance to open a Target store at www.amazon.com later this fall. This will expand Amazon's product offerings to include thousands of apparel, home, electronics and jewelry products.

In addition, Target has chosen Amazon.com's complete solution of e-commerce technology services, order fulfillment and customer care services for its current online sites, including target.com, MarshallFields.com, Mervyns.com, and GiftCatalog.com, beginning in summer 2002. All of these properties will still be owned by Target Corp.

"Target.com has experienced tremendous growth in the past 12 months, and we believe this new Target store at Amazon.com provides another opportunity to expand our business," said Jerry Storch, vice chairman of Target Corp. "We are excited to be working with Amazon.com and believe this alliance will further strengthen our brand and deepen our relationship with our guests."

Jeff Bezos, founder and ceo of Amazon.com, said, "We're always looking to expand selection for our customers, and this strategic partnership with a leading retailer like Target hits the bull's-eye. In time for the holiday shopping season, and then continuing in 2002, Amazon.com will have jewelry, apparel and more home living and electronics products available for our customers, thanks to the new Target store at Amazon.com and a great Target gift line-up."

Under the five-year strategic alliance, Amazon.com will receive per-unit fees and annual fixed fees, while Target will receive the benefits of the Amazon.com e-commerce platform and vast customer base to accelerate its online growth.