Target debuts e-commerce with smattering of Christmas collectibles

Discount Store News, Jan 4, 1999

Target tiptoed into on-line retailing with a handful of Christmas plush and collectible items plus a slew of automobile racing items on sale at up to 75% off.

A central feature on Target's Web site was its 22-in Snowden Christmas plush, along with champion 24-in plush figures of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. Each was $15.

Target also was offering three collectible figures from its Bedford Falls collection (mythical scenes from "It's a Wonderful Life"). The '98 figure, Home Guard, was out of stock by mid-December, but the Tree Bell from 1996 and the Civil War Soldier, 1997, were still available at $7 each.

In sharp contrast, Target was offering 31 skus of racing gear featuring the names and logos of the Ganassi Indy racing team that Target sponsors. It was offering category-wide discounts.

Items included a 1/24-scale replica of a race car for $15, down from $28, a youth windbreaker, $40, Jimmy Vasser T-Shirt, $10, Vasser hat, $6, Vasser sweatshirt, $30, and Ganassi team golf balls (made by Maxwell), 2 balls for $5.

A Target spokeswoman said no information was available about on-line sales after Christmas. "What you see is what you get," she said.

Sales are being handled by Dayton Hudson Electronic Sales Last year, DH bought the catalog sales operation of Minnesota Public Radio in a move that gave it order fulfillment capabilities.