Target Corp (TGT.N), known to many U.S. shoppers as the place to go for trendy, low-priced merchandise, will soon have shops within its discount stores selling everything from dog treats to high-end home accessories.

Target also confirmed during a presentation on Thursday that it will have 25 stores featuring special displays of Apple Inc (AAPL.O) merchandise, a move that had been speculated about last week.

[MacRumors]

Target’s online operations represented only a few percentage points of the company’s 2010 annual revenue according to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel.

Target is currently the 22nd largest Internet retailer in the U.S. with $1.33 billion in sales last year. Target’s 2010 revenue was $65.8 billion. As a comparison, Wal-Mart’s Internet retail sales is sixth largest with an estimated $4.4 billion. Amazon.com is #1 with $12.95 billion in sales last year.

The best part of Target’s new set-up is that over 800,000 products will have free shipping.

[Wall Street Journal]

[TechCrunch]

Target is First Mass Retailer to Offer Social Network Connectivity at KODAK Picture Kiosks
Guests can now print photos from Facebook® and The KODAK Gallery in Target Stores

MINNEAPOLIS (October 19, 2010) – Today Target® announced that KODAK Picture Kiosks featuring Social Network Connectivity are now available in most Target stores nationwide. With this new offering, Target guests can use KODAK Picture Kiosks to access and print online photo albums directly from their Facebook or KODAK Gallery accounts.

With more than 500 million users and 3 billion photos uploaded to Facebook each month, KODAK Picture Kiosks enabled with Social Network Connectivity give Target guests a convenient way to easily print online photos in stores.

“Kodak has always been a leader in innovative photography solutions and Target is proud to be the first mass retailer to offer this creative solution nationwide,” said Mark Schindele, senior vice president, merchandising, Target. “We know our guests are increasingly sharing their photos online and KODAK Picture Kiosks with Social Network Connectivity allow them access to their favorite photos along with the convenience of printing the images during their regular Target shopping trip.”

Target guests will now be able to create a variety of stunning photo products ranging from standard prints to personalized photo keepsakes such as KODAK photo books, collages, calendars, holiday and greeting cards, KODAK picture movie DVDs and more.

“Today’s Web-savvy consumers want to access their favorite online photos anytime, anywhere, and adding Social Network Connectivity to our KODAK Picture Kiosks gives them an exciting, creative avenue for sharing those photos in fantastic print creations,” said Nicoletta Zongrone, general manager Retail Systems Solutions and vice president, Eastman Kodak Company. “We’re proud to partner with a retailer like Target that truly understands the needs of their guests in today’s digital world.”

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,752 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.

Note: Target welcomes the media to its stores. To contact your local store about shooting b-roll or photos, please visit “Find a Store” at www.Target.com and contact the Leader on Duty directly to request a visit or interview. You also may visit our online pressroom at www.Target.com/Pressroom to access product information, photos and more.

About Kodak
As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit the newly redesigned http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.

More than 75 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery — join for free today at www.kodakgallery.com

KODAK is a trademark of Eastman Kodak Company.

Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

“In addition to pricing, guests are able to view ratings and reviews and the availability of the product at other locations and extended assortments on Target.com,” stated Target.com spokeswoman Leah Guimond. The application feature requires an iPhone since it is dependent on the camera, which is unfortunate for iPod Touch owners. Rumor has it that we will see cameras on future iPod Touch devices though. [CNET]

Disclosure: I’m a former employee at Target’s headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. I worked there from June 2007 – May 2008 in the Transportation department.

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Target is the first national retailer to offer a scannable mobile coupon program that allows guests to receive exclusive offers directly on their mobile phones. Coupons are redeemed by scanning a barcode on the phone at checkout.

“At Target, we know that mobile phones are an integral part of our guests’ lives, and mobile coupons are just another way we’re providing convenient, on-the-go shopping solutions”

“At Target, we know that mobile phones are an integral part of our guests’ lives, and mobile coupons are just another way we’re providing convenient, on-the-go shopping solutions,” said Steve Eastman, president of Target.com.

Guests can opt-in to the program on their PC at Target.com/mobile, on their phone at m.target.com or by texting COUPONS to 827438 (TARGET). After opt-in, guests receive a text message with a link to a mobile Web page that contains multiple offers, all accessible through a single barcode. Offers are single use and expire on the date listed.

Target’s point-of-sale scanning technology makes mobile coupons possible, and Target is the first major retailer with the ability to scan mobile barcodes in all of its stores. A leader in mobile retail, Target continues to offer innovative mobile solutions for guests. In addition to using the new mobile coupons, Target guests can access their Target Mobile GiftCards, view online assortments, check product availability and store locations, manage their Target gift registry and lists, browse the weekly ad, and receive text and e-mail notifications of great deals – all via their mobile phones.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,740 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. Target Corporation news releases are available at www.target.com.

Target plans to start running their own website around the same time and will replace Amazon.com from handling the customer care, technology, and order fulfillment.  Through the partnership, Amazon.com helped Target save money and improve customer service.

“We’ve had a very positive, productive relationship with Amazon,” stated Target spokeswoman Kelly Basgen. “We just thought it was in our best interest to grow and manage our own platform.”  Target made the announcement this past Friday.

Disclosure: I was a former employee of Target Corporation as a Supply Chain Executive-in-Training from 2007-2008.

[via NYTimes]