MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- After a successful launch of the target.com's new redesign last week, Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT), the growing upscale discount retailer, has announced the addition of thousands of holiday decor products and great gift ideas to the Web site. In addition to the expanded product offerings online, target.com announced that guests can place Holiday orders up until December 21 for Christmas delivery.

"Over the last 40 years, Target has established a brand that is fun, exciting and hip. We believe that Target owns this unique position because of the merchandising strategy executed in the retail stores," said Jerry Storch, president, financial services and new businesses for Target Corporation. "target.com is a natural extension of our physical store experience. We knew that our online presence had to provide the same great shopping experience, unique and differentiated products -- our Michael Graves Home Collection, for example -- and dependable services that have not only made us a shopping destination in our retail stores, but also a part of our guests' lives."

Online visitors to target.com will recognize immediately the Target brand they've come to know and expect at Target store locations. Drawing from the company's strong roots in design, the new home page exhibits the same stimulating visuals seen in the stores. In addition to the appealing visuals, target.com's new navigation routes enable guests to reach their destination faster and more efficiently with fewer clicks than before. Additionally, through a new "gift search" feature, guests can request gift ideas based on price, occasion or interest.

"Target's ability to appeal to our guests with unique and differentiated items has been the cornerstone of our merchandising success," said Cathy David, general manager, target.com. "In the physical stores, our guest has the advantage of using all of her senses while shopping; in e-commerce, this isn't possible. target.com has overcome this inherent Internet challenge by offering gift suggestions and ideas through fun and surprising juxtapositions, trend-right displays and reminders and tips that both communicate the brand and make sense to our guest."

Holiday 2000 marks target.com's second Holiday season. Holiday 1999 proved to be a success, with target.com able to fulfill all Holiday orders received by December 22 and delivering orders before Christmas. This year, with a fully-owned and expanded distribution center, target.com is confident that guests ordering up until December 21 will receive their products in time for Christmas.

"Target's entrance online started before there was a target.com. We laid the foundation when the decision was made to purchase and operate our own distribution center specific to our online and catalog sales," said Mr. Storch. "target.com has taken a very thoughtful approach to going online. We understand how critical distribution and guest service is to our business and we didn't believe that outsourcing or spinning off our online practices would be beneficial to the core brand mission."

With an emphasis on gift-giving, target.com has leveraged the success of their online/offline registries -- Club Wedd and Lullaby Club -- to understand what their guests are looking to receive and to give. Now carrying more than 15,000 items in Target's key merchandise categories -- apparel, gifts and toys, and home decor -- target.com differentiates itself from other mass e-tailers by providing products that are unique to Target, including: Target's branded apparel lines, the Michael Graves Home Collection, Philips Home Appliances and Sonia Kashuk beauty collection.

About target.com

Minneapolis-based target.com is the online business of Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT). Delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices, target.com boasts thousands of unique and highly differentiated items, many of which are also available from Target Stores, the upscale discount retail division of Target Corporation. The target.com site has a broad assortment of gift ideas and products in a wide range of categories, including apparel, children's items, home decor, house wares, seasonal merchandise, sporting goods, and toys. In addition to online shopping, target.com offers guests the opportunity to purchase products from Target's highly successful registry programs (Club Wedd and Lullaby Club), apply for a Target Guest Card, access information on programs such as Take Charge of Education, find out "What's New" at Target Stores, locate the nearest Target store, and browse Target Stores' weekly circular.

               Target Media Relations             Ruder Finn Public Relations
               (612) 304-6557                     (212) 593-6350
               carolyn.brookter@target.com        zabackj@ruderfinn.com

SOURCE Target Corporation

CONTACT: Carolyn Brookter of Target Media Relations, 612-304-6557, carolyn.brookter@target.com; or Jonathan Zaback of Ruder Finn Public Relations, 212-593-6350, zabackj@ruderfinn.com, for Target Corporation/