Great storytelling. I would've liked to see John Geisse mentioned as well. He co-founded Target with Douglas Dayton and created most of its retail format. He's credited with inventing "upscale discount," that is, a discounter selling high-end goods at narrow margins. This was a contrast to most of their competition, who sold cheap merchandise at discounts.
Worked at an Ayr-Way before it became a Target. Now it's called "Rural Plaza" or something like that. I must say, that Ayr-Way was not the best managed store, but I learned something: Do not work the toy department during the Christmas season.
One time in Indianapolis I sit in an empty parking lot in front of a building that used to be a Target. I could remember the smell of it just from memory. From everything new right up to the food court. I could even remember the smell of the plastic bags they put your merchandise in. Just like the mall, these places smelled better back then. Maybe it's because I didn't have much at the time? These days with so many more places to shop and now that I can somewhat afford to do so, I don't think I notice the smell of new anymore. Maybe smell memory is greater than the moment. I can still smell how good Wendy's use to be. When the cheese stuck to the wrapper. Is it just me or is it not as good as it use to be? Target has done great though becoming even better!!
I remember going to The Target store on Loop 410 (old Loop 13) near North Star Mall in San Antonio, in 1964. Looking back, the store was like one of the original Walmart stores. Modest by today’s standards, but still different than anything we had in our home town, but then so was the nearby North Star Mall, which opened just 4 years before.
I remember when the first two Targets in Dallas opened, at LBJ Freeway and Montfort Drive by Valley View Mall (then just a Sears store), and at LBJ and Centerville Road in Garland. Like the other early Targets, these two had supermarkets detached from the department store. These two Dallas supermarkets later became Krogers, long before the Super Target concept was developed.
In San Francisco we didn't get one here in town until 2012, and the second opened in 2013 - which took over the space of the Mervyn's that closed forever at the end of the 2000s! Another sadly closed long term store where I grew up was a Gemco in San Jose! If those favorite places of mine from the past had to go at least they were replaced with a store I actually like!
I love Target stores one of my favorite stores of all time besides Academy Sports and Outdoors of course, then my other favorite store is: HobbyTown USA and Fye! 😁
I used to be a diehard Kmart shopper but since they are out of business I now made Target my new home store. I’m so sad Kmarts gone especially when I worked there at one point. Sad to lose Kmart but Target is similar. I miss the layaway, and blue light specials.
I used to work for TARGET in '94 and I remember alot of what is in this video. Shame given the hostel and degrading economic climate brought on by high inflation and double digit interest rates, Target, Walmart etc. will be devastated.
I worked for Target, from 2018-2020, and they were a much better company to work for than other retail chains, imo. I got a raise and decent hours. During the pandemic, I felt fortunate I worked for them.
@@insightfulhistorian1861 Yah, IK, Target was a good company to work for. The pay was decent and there where times when the hours were not to bad. When I left voluntarily to up to Wisconsin, I was paid, $16.07 an hour. Unfortunately, with the new job, I'm being paid a few bucks less. No matter.
1980's UPC and I was a consultant to Dayton Target. Tough fair and forward looking. I remember discussing the GRAN SLAM when working to bring Munsingwear, Inc out of Bankruptcy. Many challenges in the 90's. Web was new and Target IT was a big deal here in Minneapolis.
Great photographs (love the Milwaukee Journal ads too-- being from WI here). Back around 2001-2002 though, you could often find the exactly same product on a shelf at TARGET that you could find at DAYTON's AND MARSHALL FIELDS, which they also acquired. DAYTONS's and FIELD's became ordinary...and there was no longer competition (or variety) for those finer things those stores were once known for. They really watered down merchandizing by elimination of choices to consumers. But TARGET really improved their stores, and their brands, over the years.
My daughter is at Target almost daily. When she was in labor with her first baby she had to stop at Target on the way to the hospital. Her water broke there. Fortunately, it was a slow leak.
Interesting how this Target "commercial" fails to mention Target's DISASTROUS foray into Canada from 2013-2015. The Target Corporation purchased the Zellers department store chain in Canada (Zellers was the beloved Canadian version of Walmart), and converted approximately 135 of the former Zellers stores into Target stores, with much fanfare. However, Target failed to do their homework on the Canadian market. Within TWO YEARS, Target CLOSED all of their Canadian stores, and racked up $2.1 billion in losses.
First of all, these YT creators that deal in "Americana" have to sound as if they were promoting that idea or that store as it is part of their style of storytelling, what happens is that in this case the store is still successful. One of the reasons Target failed so miserably in Canada (the other was not to get in sync with Canada's distribution system and the merchandise Canadians wanted) was that the Zeller's stores sold were in "not the best places" (which is probably why Hudson Bay sold them to Target). Most of those stores were Kmart locations before Zeller's got in, so...
One of the main reasons Target's move into Canada was such a massive disaster was because they didn't have merchandise on the shelf. Whose bright idea in the head office thought it a good idea to open a store which literally had nothing to buy. Hard to make money that way.
My Target, which I would frequent weekly and in a decent area, turned into a piece of s--t . I haven't been there in over a year and will never go back.
I worked for Dayton's in upper management in 1978. Dayton's opened two new stores in the Dakotas, Sioux Falls and Grand Forks. I was transferred to Grand Forks. These two stores were placed in new shopping malls where both Dayton's and Target were in the same location. The two stores along with J C Penney were the three foundation stores that supported the remainder of the mall. The Dayton family must be rolling over in their graves as Target lost the founders moral compass. The Dayton brothers were very devout Christians and modeled their convictions in managing their store. IMO did the share holders appreciate the value loss of their Target stock? I guess you can't fix stupid marketing idiots.
Show a picture of Target in Australia.. do the Holden Torana behind it. GMH EJ Holden station wagon driving off.. in front of the trailer.. I just bought some clothes the other day from Target.. around the corner from where I live in Queensland cool as
I enjoy the videos that this person puts out. Kinda got and issue with this though. I think that our free market system works very well in our country and would not have it any other way, but what about this “Pride” stuff and I hear that they, Target , seems to be on the liberal side of things. Maybe I’m way off with this. I’m retired and in my 60’s and I just have a hard time with certain things.
I miss shopping at Dayton’s.
What a success story! Now all they Gotta do is to get the register price to match the price of the item on the shelf.
Target has the best shopping carts of any stores- always smooth and quiet.
My parents took us to Target in Bloomington in the 60s for school shopping which was a big deal for farm kid.
Great storytelling. I would've liked to see John Geisse mentioned as well. He co-founded Target with Douglas Dayton and created most of its retail format. He's credited with inventing "upscale discount," that is, a discounter selling high-end goods at narrow margins. This was a contrast to most of their competition, who sold cheap merchandise at discounts.
Fair point. Thanks for including those details here!
This video was very well put together I have always shopped at target ever since I was young.
Worked at an Ayr-Way before it became a Target. Now it's called "Rural Plaza" or something like that. I must say, that Ayr-Way was not the best managed store, but I learned something: Do not work the toy department during the Christmas season.
One time in Indianapolis I sit in an empty parking lot in front of a building that used to be a Target. I could remember the smell of it just from memory. From everything new right up to the food court. I could even remember the smell of the plastic bags they put your merchandise in. Just like the mall, these places smelled better back then. Maybe it's because I didn't have much at the time? These days with so many more places to shop and now that I can somewhat afford to do so, I don't think I notice the smell of new anymore.
Maybe smell memory is greater than the moment. I can still smell how good Wendy's use to be. When the cheese stuck to the wrapper. Is it just me or is it not as good as it use to be?
Target has done great though becoming even better!!
And the slushes as kids. I still have a slushie addiction
Target over Walmart any day.
Iktr 💯
I remember going to The Target store on Loop 410 (old Loop 13) near North Star Mall in San Antonio, in 1964. Looking back, the store was like one of the original Walmart stores. Modest by today’s standards, but still different than anything we had in our home town, but then so was the nearby North Star Mall, which opened just 4 years before.
I remember when the first two Targets in Dallas opened, at LBJ Freeway and Montfort Drive by Valley View Mall (then just a Sears store), and at LBJ and Centerville Road in Garland. Like the other early Targets, these two had supermarkets detached from the department store. These two Dallas supermarkets later became Krogers, long before the Super Target concept was developed.
In San Francisco we didn't get one here in town until 2012, and the second opened in 2013 - which took over the space of the Mervyn's that closed forever at the end of the 2000s! Another sadly closed long term store where I grew up was a Gemco in San Jose! If those favorite places of mine from the past had to go at least they were replaced with a store I actually like!
Nice walk down memory lane
I enjoyed this nostalgic walk through the birth of a retail giant, Target.
I love Target stores one of my favorite stores of all time besides Academy Sports and Outdoors of course, then my other favorite store is: HobbyTown USA and Fye! 😁
I used to be a diehard Kmart shopper but since they are out of business I now made Target my new home store. I’m so sad Kmarts gone especially when I worked there at one point. Sad to lose Kmart but Target is similar. I miss the layaway, and blue light specials.
I used to work for TARGET in '94 and I remember alot of what is in this video. Shame given the hostel and degrading economic climate brought on by high inflation and double digit interest rates, Target, Walmart etc. will be devastated.
I worked for Target, from 2018-2020, and they were a much better company to work for than other retail chains, imo. I got a raise and decent hours. During the pandemic, I felt fortunate I worked for them.
@@insightfulhistorian1861 Yah, IK, Target was a good company to work for. The pay was decent and there where times when the hours were not to bad. When I left voluntarily to up to Wisconsin, I was paid, $16.07 an hour. Unfortunately, with the new job, I'm being paid a few bucks less.
No matter.
1980's UPC and I was a consultant to Dayton Target. Tough fair and forward looking. I remember discussing the GRAN SLAM when working to bring Munsingwear, Inc out of Bankruptcy. Many challenges in the 90's. Web was new and Target IT was a big deal here in Minneapolis.
I have never been shopping at a Target store and I'm Seventy-Six years old. Never had a reason to go to one.
Great photographs (love the Milwaukee Journal ads too-- being from WI here). Back around 2001-2002 though, you could often find the exactly same product on a shelf at TARGET that you could find at DAYTON's AND MARSHALL FIELDS, which they also acquired. DAYTONS's and FIELD's became ordinary...and there was no longer competition (or variety) for those finer things those stores were once known for. They really watered down merchandizing by elimination of choices to consumers. But TARGET really improved their stores, and their brands, over the years.
My daughter is at Target almost daily. When she was in labor with her first baby she had to stop at Target on the way to the hospital. Her water broke there. Fortunately, it was a slow leak.
Hi from Minnesota
Worked downtown Minneapolis daytons
What happened to the first target store today can you tell me Thanks bye.
Crystal, Minnesota still has (I think) an original Target that was built in late 1962.
Target has a good spirit not like people of Walmart. I just realized I'm wearing a hoodie from Target
I've not shopped there since the bathroom thing.
Interesting how this Target "commercial" fails to mention Target's DISASTROUS foray into Canada from 2013-2015.
The Target Corporation purchased the Zellers department store chain in Canada (Zellers was the beloved Canadian version of Walmart), and converted approximately 135 of the former Zellers stores into Target stores, with much fanfare.
However, Target failed to do their homework on the Canadian market. Within TWO YEARS, Target CLOSED all of their Canadian stores, and racked up $2.1 billion in losses.
Target purchased Zellers from the Hudson's Bay Company.
First of all, these YT creators that deal in "Americana" have to sound as if they were promoting that idea or that store as it is part of their style of storytelling, what happens is that in this case the store is still successful.
One of the reasons Target failed so miserably in Canada (the other was not to get in sync with Canada's distribution system and the merchandise Canadians wanted) was that the Zeller's stores sold were in "not the best places" (which is probably why Hudson Bay sold them to Target).
Most of those stores were Kmart locations before Zeller's got in, so...
One of the main reasons Target's move into Canada was such a massive disaster was because they didn't have merchandise on the shelf. Whose bright idea in the head office thought it a good idea to open a store which literally had nothing to buy. Hard to make money that way.
I thought the precursor was Richway, at least in Atlanta.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I don't use Gillette products, I don't buy Budweiser products, and I will not spend my money at Target.
I don't drink beer, but Gillette gets a lifetime ban from me. Wife loves Target, but they have say they have ugliest clothing models of any store.😂
@@dave4708 I don't exactly like the clothes there either.
My Target, which I would frequent weekly and in a decent area, turned into a piece of s--t . I haven't been there in over a year and will never go back.
No Targets close to me in Oklahoma. TFS
I worked for Dayton's in upper management in 1978. Dayton's opened two new stores in the Dakotas, Sioux Falls and Grand Forks. I was transferred to Grand Forks. These two stores were placed in new shopping malls where both Dayton's and Target were in the same location. The two stores along with J C Penney were the three foundation stores that supported the remainder of the mall.
The Dayton family must be rolling over in their graves as Target lost the founders moral compass. The Dayton brothers were very devout Christians and modeled their convictions in managing their store. IMO did the share holders appreciate the value loss of their Target stock? I guess you can't fix stupid marketing idiots.
From Dayton’s to Target…where Hudson’s get bled dry to keep that Minny BULLsh!t alive.
I do not need to know the History of Target. Target is History as far as I am concerned.
Show a picture of Target in Australia.. do the Holden Torana behind it. GMH EJ Holden station wagon driving off.. in front of the trailer.. I just bought some clothes the other day from Target.. around the corner from where I live in Queensland cool as
Now they can start closing stores due to a decline in sale bc of theft! 👋🥺
They need more bathrooms at the downtown Minneapolis Target (there is only one) other than that I love my Target
And who can forget the great Target Canadian store fiasco? Well, I guess you did.
Today it is still an awesome experience every time
I hate super Target. I miss the small family owned grocery stores that were small, clean and friendly.
Woke target is now boycotted by the entire nation....
Target will be gone soon. Good riddance!
What you the ghost of Kmart 😅😂
Narrator sounds like Patton Oswald.
This music is familiar
Shame they went woke in 2023. Shame on them.
Exactly 😢
I enjoy the videos that this person puts out. Kinda got and issue with this though. I think that our free market system works very well in our country and would not have it any other way, but what about this “Pride” stuff and I hear that they, Target , seems to be on the liberal side of things. Maybe I’m way off with this. I’m retired and in my 60’s and I just have a hard time with certain things.
Did you mean, target is history?
They also need to get rid of the Woke agenda of allowing men and women to use the same bathroom. 😢
🙄
Do they carry Bud Lite? For some reason, I can't find the stuff ANYWHERE, lately.
Lol target doesn't give to charities like they good they do it for tax reasons.
So Shipt is what broke target. got it.
It had to happen eventually.
Pushing a liberal agenda
Baby i dont understand this
Grilled cheese
Obama Sandwhich
shut up