Target Gets Bazaar

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/24/2005 8:57:00 AM

Minneapolis — Target is pushing the boundaries again with its new Global Bazaar program, a largely self-sourced assortment of home furnishings pieces that suggests the extent of the retailer’s ambitions for home.

The six-week program seeks to inject momentum into the store’s seasonal space during the post-holiday period. Traditionally, the flex space was stocked after the holidays with a few pieces of patio furniture in advance of the full spring set, which generally rolls out in late February.

Global Bazaar hard and soft goods are assorted by one of five regions: Asia, Europe, India, Latin America and Africa. A centerpiece display mixes items from several regions, with a notably aggressive push in furniture.

“To differentiate our assortment from other retailers, all items are authentic and come directly from the region they represent,” said Gregg Steinhafel, president, Target Stores, during the company’s third quarter conference call two months ago.

Although Target sourced the bulk of Global Bazaar merchandise itself, it did tap suppliers here and there to fill in the gaps. Among the vendors identified on labels or packaging at the Jersey City, N.J., Greatland store visited by HTT last week were Orris & Orris, Homestead, Creative Home Fashions-India and Kucukcalik.

The collections include a limited assortment of textiles, with heaviest emphasis on dec pillows and throws. However, there is a queen-size patchwork quilt in the assortment for $89.99 as well as area rugs: a 5-by-8 for $149.99 and an 8-by-11 for $299.99. Other home textiles include table runners, table clothes, dish cloths and a window scarf.

The program embraces a wide variety of product categories, including lamps, baskets, trunks, vases, candles, benches, serving pieces, wall art, mirrors, décor items and a smattering of ethnic food such as flavored olive oils and specialty salsas.

It is in furniture Global Bazaar truly demonstrates the extent of Target’s ambitions, with dining tables and chairs, end tables, upholstered footstools, living room chairs and ottomans as well as three-, four- and nine-drawer chests.

The Global Bazaar program runs through Feb. 19. Following on its heels will be the spring debut of the Fieldcrest bed and bath line, which Target has a captive brand under license from brand owner Official Pillowtex LLC. The line is being positioned as a classic luxury offering, with 400-count sheets and silk quilts.

Also slated for a spring launch is the new Isaac Mizrahi home brand, an extension of the mass-market apparel collection the designer launched at Target in 2003. Mizrahi home will include bedding, bath, decorative accessories, lighting, furniture, tabletop, stationery and pet accessories.