Target
Purveyor of all that is cheap, yet chic, fast-growing Target Corporation has bulked up by slimming down. The nation's #2 discount chain (behind Wal-Mart) now operates more than 1,500 Target and SuperTarget stores in 47 states, as well as an online business called Target.com. Target and its larger grocery-carrying incarnation, SuperTarget, have carved out a niche by offering more upscale, fashion-forward merchandise than rivals Wal-Mart and Kmart. After years of struggling to turn around its Marshall Field's and Mervyns departments stores divisions, the discounter sold them both in 2004. Target also owns apparel supplier The Associated Merchandising Corp. and issues Target Visa and its proprietary Target Card.
Best Buy
| The biggest consumer electronics outlet in the US is also the best -- Best Buy, that is. The company operates a chain of more than 1,170 stores in the US, Canada, and now China offering a wide variety of electronic gadgets, movies, music, computers, and appliances. In addition to selling products, the stores offer installation and maintenance services, technical support, and subscriptions for cell phone and Internet services. Covering an average of about 40,500 sq. ft., the big box stores are located in 49 states and all Canadian provinces. In addition to the Best Buy brand, the company operates under the names Magnolia Audio Video (20 stores in the US) and Future Shop (about 120 locations in Canada). |