Target Corporation. (TGT) recently stated that it has completed its earlier announced leasehold transactions with Zellers stores, owned by Hudson's Bay Company.
Earlier in January, Target, in its first voyage outside U.S., announced its campaign to expand into Canada by acquiring leases for 220 Zellers stores by paying C$1.825 billion in two equal installments.
In May, while paying the first installment, Target selected an initial group of 105 leases for target stores or to transfer the locations to other retailers. Moving on, Target recently announced that it has chosen an additional 84 more locations bringing the total to 189.
From the recently announced leases, Target acquired leasehold interests for 29 sites, large amount of which will be unwrapped as Target stores in early 2013. While, 39 locations were assigned to Wal-Mart as per the contract announced in June.
Founded in 1931 by Walter P. Zeller, Zellers is one of the largest mass-merchandise retailer of Canada and has more than 270 stores. For a period of time, Zellers Inc. will continue to operate these stores under the Zellers banner by subleasing these sites from Target.
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Target plans to open 125 to 135 Target stores in Canada by 2013. Moreover, these stores will offer a well-built preliminary underpinning for a more dynamic Target presence in Canada in due course. Further, the deal will fetch a market for the company, where cheap and trendy approach to retailing has been already qualified, as the retailer’s rivals, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST), have been in Canada for years.
Meanwhile, the company will focus more on store renovations while improving store sales productivity. Target continues to remodel stores, including an expanded grocery offering, improved store layout, and enhancement of in-store shopping experience across departments in fiscal 2011. Moreover, Target introduces P-fresh in-store food and grocery sections and expects P-fresh to boost 2011 comparable-store sales.
Target’s efficient marketing, multi-channel strategy, product innovation, compelling pricing strategy, and new merchandise assortments, should help drive comparable-store sales and operating margins in the long term. We expect the company to gain market share, and believe that more focus on consumable items should boost sales and earnings in a sluggish consumer environment.
Target currently, operates 1,762 stores in 49 states, of which 774 are general merchandise stores, 736 are expanded grocery assortment and 252 are SuperTarget stores.
Currently, we have a Neutral rating on the stock. Moreover, Target has a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating.
COSTCO WHOLE CP (COST): Free Stock Analysis Report
TARGET CORP (TGT): Free Stock Analysis Report
WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
Get all Zacks Research Reports and be alerted to fast-breaking buy and sell opportunities every trading day.
Be the first to comment