Biggest Target Competitors (2023 Guide)

We have all heard of different stores competing with one another to get customers in the door. 

But have you ever wondered who the Biggest Target Competitors are? Target competes with a variety of stores, including discount stores, department stores, grocery stores, and even some online retailers. While each store offers various products and services, they all pose a threat to Target’s market share. 

So, let’s learn more about this fiercely competitive market!

What Is Target?

Target is a popular retail chain in the United States. It was founded in 1902 as a discount store chain. Today, it is the second largest retailer in the country after Walmart. It is known for its wide selection of items, including clothing, home goods, electronics, and more. 

The store also offers a variety of services, such as a pharmacy, optical center, and photo studio, along with a strong online presence where they offer free shipping on many items. It is worth approximately $42 billion and employs more than 350,000 people. Target is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Read more: Biggest Walgreens Competitors

The History Of Target

The superstore was founded in 1902 by George Dayton. He started the company as a way to provide affordable, high-quality goods to the local community. In the early days, Target was a small operation with just a handful of employees. However, Dayton’s philosophy of offering quality products at a fair price quickly caught on, and Target began to grow. 

By the 1920s, the company had expanded into new markets and was opening new stores across the country. Today, Target is one of the largest retailers in the United States, with over 1,800 stores nationwide. The company’s success is due in large part to George Dayton’s vision of providing quality products and value to customers.

What Is Store Competition?

In the world of retail, there’s nothing quite like a little healthy competition. After all, what better way to keep prices down and quality up than to have a few other businesses vying for your customer’s attention? Sure, it might not always be friendly, but at the end of the day, competition is good for everyone involved.

So, what exactly is store competition? In a nutshell, it’s when two or more businesses selling comparable products or services go head-to-head in an attempt to win over customers.

The Price Wars!

This can take many forms, from price wars to promotional campaigns to exclusive partnerships. Whatever the method, the goal is always the same: to come out on top. There’s no doubt that store competition can be fierce. But at the same time, it’s also what keeps the retail world interesting and dynamic. 

The Biggest Target Competitors

1 Walmart 

Walmart is Target’s biggest competitor. It is a giant corporation that sells everything from groceries to electronics. They are known for their low prices, which often undercut their competition. However, Walmart has come under fire in recent years for its labor practices and environmental record.

Nonetheless, they remain one of the largest and most successful retailers in the world. Target competes with Walmart on price. However, it differentiates itself with a more upscale image. They also have a better reputation when it comes to labor and environmental issues. As a result, Target has been able to siphon off some of Walmart’s market share in recent years. Despite this, it remains the dominant player in the retail sector.

2 Amazon

Amazon is an American electronic commerce as well as cloud computing company that has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It’s the largest Internet-based retailer in the world by total sales and by market capitalization.

Amazon.com is a website that was founded by Jeff Bezos on July 5, 1994. It started as an online bookstore but later diversified to sell DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, video downloads/streaming, audiobook downloads/streaming, MP3 downloads/streaming, software, electronics, apparel, video games, furniture, food, toys, and jewelry.

Where the Kindle was born…

The company also produces consumer electronics—notably the Amazon Kindle e-book reader—and is a major provider of cloud computing services. Amazon also sells certain low-end products under its in-house brand Amazon Basics.

They are often able to offer lower prices than brick-and-mortar stores because they have lower overhead costs. They also have a vast selection of items, which can be a big advantage over smaller stores.

Not so-great return policies…

However, one downside of Amazon is that it can be difficult to return items if you’re not happy with them. Target, on the other hand, offers a wide range of products, although not as many as Amazon. Target is also known for having competitive prices, but again not always as low as Amazon’s. One advantage, however, that Target has over Amazon is that it has physical locations where you can browse or return items more easily. 

3 Kroger

Kroger is a grocery chain that operates 2,778 stores in 35 states. The company was founded in 1883 by Barney Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kroger offers a wide variety of food and non-food items, including fresh produce, meat, seafood, dairy, general merchandise, bakery, deli, floral, pharmacy and fuel. The company also has its own private label products, which are sold under the following brands: Private Selection, Simple Truth, and HemisFares.

Technology tactics!

Kroger competes with other grocery chains such as Target, but to compete with these larger companies, they have invested heavily in technology. For example, the company offers an app that allows customers to order groceries online and then pick them up at a store. Kroger also offers a rewards program that gives customers discounts on fuel and groceries. 

4 Costco

Costco is a popular membership-only warehouse club that offers a wide variety of merchandise, ranging from groceries and electronics to furniture and clothing. Founded in 1983, Costco has grown to become one of the largest retailers in the world, with over 700 locations in the United States alone.

 While Costco is best known for its low prices, it also offers several other benefits, such as exclusive member-only deals and a generous return policy. In terms of competition, Costco primarily goes up against other warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Bulk buying gives it the edge…

However, it also competes with traditional retailers such as Target. When compared to its competitors, Costco typically offers lower prices on food and general merchandise items, which helps to attract cost-conscious shoppers. In addition, its membership model allows it to offer bulk discounts that are not available at most traditional retail outlets. 

5 Best Buy

Best Buy is a leading retailer of consumer electronics, computers, and entertainment products. They operate more than 1,400 stores across the United States and Canada and offer a wide range of products from major brands such as Samsung, Sony, Apple, and Microsoft. 

They are recognized for their competitive prices and extensive range of products, and they also offer a price match guarantee on all products. Whilst Target is another leading retailer of consumer electronics and entertainment products; unlike Best Buy, they do not have such an extensive selection.

6 Whole Foods

Founded in 1980, Whole Foods currently has over 500 locations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. They are a chain of supermarkets specializing in selling natural and organic foods. 

The company has a reputation for being expensive, but they offer a wide variety of high-quality produce, meat, and other products. They also have a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. In terms of competition, Whole Foods generally goes up against other grocery stores like Safeway or Kroger.

Adapting to the “Superstore future”…

However, they have also been encroaching on the territory of big-box retailers like Target and Walmart. These companies can sell comparable products at lower prices, so it will be interesting to see how Whole Foods adapts in the future.

7 TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx is a retail store chain that specializes in selling discounted designer merchandise. Unlike other discount stores, TJ Maxx does not sell its items at a fixed price. Instead, it employs a “treasure hunt” pricing strategy, meaning that prices are constantly changing, and customers never know what they’re going to find.

This makes them a popular destination for bargain shoppers who are looking for a good deal on name-brand merchandise. TJ Maxx competes with other discount stores by offering an ever-changing selection of merchandise at rock-bottom prices. This approach has made them a favorite among budget-conscious shoppers who are looking for the best value for their money.

8 Kohl’s

Kohl’s is a department store chain that was founded in 1962. Unlike Target, which sells primarily general merchandise, Kohl’s focuses on selling more specific items, such as clothing, shoes, and jewelry. 

In terms of pricing, they are generally slightly more expensive than Target. However, they often run sales and promotions that offer significant discounts on their merchandise. In addition, they offer a rewards program for shoppers who use their credit cards, which Target does not have.

9 Lowe’s

Lowe’s is a home improvement store that sells everything from power tools to patio furniture. They compete with other big box stores like Home Depot and Target by offering lower prices and a wider selection. 

They also offer special services like appliance repair and installation, making them a one-stop shop for all your home improvement needs. While their prices may be lower, their quality is just as high, making Lowe’s a great option for anyone looking to save money on their next home project.

10 Sam’s Club

Finally, Sam’s Club is a chain of membership-only retail warehouses owned by Walmart. Founded in 1983, the first Sam’s Club opened in Midwest City, Oklahoma. 

Today, there are over 600 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Sam’s Club sells a variety of merchandise, including food, electronics, furniture, and clothing. They also offer services such as tire installation and banking. Sam’s Club competes with other membership-based warehouse clubs such as Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club. They also compete with discount retailers such as Target and Walmart. 

Discount bulk buying makes them different!

One key way that differentiates them from their competitors is by offering members exclusive savings on bulk purchases. For example, members can save up to $4 per gallon on gasoline purchased at Sam’s Club gas stations. In addition, they offer a Satisfaction Guarantee on all products purchased, ensuring that members are always satisfied with their purchases.

How Does Target Stay On Top Of Its Competitors?

Target has always been known for its cheap chic offerings, and the retailer has worked hard to stay ahead of the curve. In an industry where fashion trends come and go quickly, they have developed a reputation for being able to spot upcoming trends and get their products on store shelves quickly.

The retailer is also known for its generous return policy, which allows customers to return items up to a year after purchase. In addition, Target offers a variety of value-added services that its competitors don’t, such as in-store cafes and aisles dedicated to children’s clothing and toys. 

By offering a unique blend of low prices, trendy products, and great customer service, visiting Target has become more of an experience instead of a necessity. 

Work For One Of The Famous Retail Stores!

We’ve got a selection of great job opportunities for you to choose from, so check out our in-depth guides to the Target Application and the most common Target Interview Questions, as well as the Kroger Application and the most common Kroger Interview Questions to start off with.

Next, take a look at our guides to the Best Buy Application and most frequently asked Best Buy Interview Questions, as well as the Sams Club Application and Sams Club Interview Questions, followed by the Costco Application and most frequently asked Costco Interview Questions in 2023.

Finally, if you have a criminal, it’s worth finding out Does Target Hire Felons, Does Kroger Hire Felons, Does Best Buy Hire Felons, and Does Costco Hire Felons before moving forward.

Biggest Target Competitors – Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! Target’s 10 biggest competitors. While some may be bigger, and others may be smaller, each one of these retailers offers something that Target doesn’t. 

Whether it’s a wider selection, lower prices, or better customer service, they each provide shoppers with a unique experience that keeps them coming back.

Now that you know how extensive and fierce the competition is, happy shopping at Target or wherever you choose to do it!