Quick Intro
Target.com.au is the online platform for Target Australia, a department store chain owned by Wesfarmers. It offers a wide range of products including clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, and more, both online and in-store. The business focuses on providing affordable quality products and aims to enhance its digital capabilities to better serve customers across Australia[1][2].
retail ecommerce retail marketing supply chain logistics merchandise buying
Business Model
Target.com.au, operated by Target Australia, primarily generates revenue through the sale of merchandise across various categories such as Hobby & Leisure, Fashion, and Electronics[1]. The revenue streams are not highly diversified beyond these core product sales, as there is no mention of additional services like credit card programs or membership services typical of its U.S. counterpart[1][5]. The online store's revenue is mostly focused on e-commerce sales within Australia[1].
In contrast, Target in the U.S. has more diversified revenue streams, including merchandise sales, credit card profit sharing, and other services like in-store pharmacies and financial services[3].
Financials
Target Corporation Report
Revenue Streams and Growth
- Total Revenue: Achieved $25.7 billion in Q3 2024, a 1.1% increase year-on-year.
- Digital Growth: Nearly 11% increase in digital channel sales, contributing to overall revenue growth.
- Traffic Increase: Customer traffic rose by 2.4%, translating to 10 million additional transactions.
- Sales Performance: Temporary decline in Target sales of 3.6% in FY 2024 reflects operational challenges within the Kmart Group, of which it is a part.
Profitability Metrics
- Earnings per Share (EPS): Adjusted EPS forecast increased but recent quarters show a decline.
- Operating Income: Q3 operating income dropped by 11.2% to $1.2 billion, with a margin rate down to 4.6%.
- Gross Margin: Slight decline to 27.2% due to increased digital fulfillment and supply chain costs.
- Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): Improved to 15.9% from 13.9%, indicating better capital efficiency despite declining EPS.
Strategic Initiatives
- Cost Management: Focus on managing SG&A expenses, which increased due to higher pay and benefits.
- Customer Loyalty: Continued emphasis on loyalty programs and enhancing supply chain efficiency to navigate economic pressures.
- Online Services: Expanded same-day delivery and digital capabilities, as evidenced by a 20% surge in same-day delivery services.
Biggest Challenges
- Declining Sales: Facing a 3.6% sales drop while competitors like Kmart show moderate growth.
- Cost Pressures: Increased digital sales are offset by higher fulfillment and supply chain costs, complicating profitability.
- Market Competition: Struggling to maintain competitive edge amidst rising operational costs and uncertain consumer spending trends.
- Economic Uncertainty: Retail environment volatility poses risks requiring agile operational responses and strategic pivots.
Target Customers
Target Market and Targeted Customer of target.com.au
Target Market:
Target Australia is a value retailer that primarily targets a wide demographic, especially appealing to an older audience. In 2020, it held the second-largest share of the country's apparel market, with 45.4% of its shoppers being over 55 years old[3]. The target market includes individuals seeking affordable clothing and footwear across various age groups, with a focus on convenience and value pricing.
Targeted Customer:
The targeted customer for target.com.au is typically someone interested in fashion and apparel, with a strong presence of females (61.91%) and a significant age group of 25-34 years old[1]. These customers are likely drawn to the website due to its competitive pricing and diverse product offerings. The audience also shows interest in lifestyle categories, aligning with Target's broader appeal as a marketplace for everyday essentials and fashion items[1].
Key Characteristics:
- Demographics: Wide age range, with a significant portion over 55 years old.
- Geographics: Primarily Australian, with 96.94% of traffic coming from Australia[1].
- Psychographics: Values convenience, affordability, and a wide range of products.
- Behavioral: Likely to be price-conscious and seeking everyday low pricing[3].
Main Competitors
The primary competitors of target.com.au include:
- bigw.com.au: Known for its affordable prices and wide range of products.
- kmart.com.au: Offers a similar mix of home goods, clothing, and electronics at competitive prices.
- myer.com.au: Focuses on higher-end department store offerings with a strong brand presence.
- amazon.com.au: Provides a vast product selection and competitive pricing, leveraging its global e-commerce platform.
These competitors differentiate themselves through pricing strategies, product offerings, and brand positioning. For example, Amazon excels in e-commerce convenience and product diversity, while Myer focuses on premium retail experiences.
Office Locations
Target Australia's workforce is primarily focused within Australia, with no global workforce in the sense of international offices for this entity. Their main offices and operations are located in Australia, with no indication of international offices beyond their domestic operations. However, Target Australia does have sourcing offices in Asia, which support their supply chain and product sourcing efforts[3][5].
In contrast, the U.S.-based Target Corporation has a more global presence with offices in several countries, including India and others across Asia and the Americas[1][2].
Tech Stack
Target.com.au does not exist as Target Corporation primarily operates in the United States and does not have an Australian website. However, if you're referring to the foundational technologies behind Target's e-commerce platform in general, they include:
- AI and Machine Learning: Used for personalized shopping experiences, inventory management, and predictive analytics[1][4].
- Data Mining and Analytics: Essential for understanding customer behavior and improving services[4].
- E-commerce Platforms: Target.com was re-platformed using technologies from partners like IBM, Oracle, and others to manage its online operations independently[3].
For a specific Australian retailer, the technologies might differ.
Akamai Akamai DNS ExactTarget Outlook Backbone JS Library SuccessFactors (SAP) Mobile Friendly DoubleClick Floodlight Google Play Facebook Widget The Trade Desk SOASTA Google Tag Manager Facebook Login (Connect) Ruxit Criteo Google Analytics Optimizely ATG Commerce Facebook Custom Audiences Tealium RTB House
Products and Services
Target Australia's main products include clothing, cosmetics, homewares, electronics, books, and toys, sold both in-store and online through target.com.au. These products solve several problems for consumers:
- Convenience: Offers a wide range of products in one place, both online and in-store.
- Accessibility: Provides easy access to various household and personal items across different regions.
- Variety: Offers a diverse selection of products, catering to different tastes and needs.
- Quality and Value: Focuses on providing quality products at affordable prices, enhancing customer satisfaction.