There were many reasons why Target (Minneapolis) was named the 2021 VMSD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year, not least of which is its design-oriented culture.
That culture inspired various initiatives for its physical stores in the past year, including more openings and renovations, more shop-in-shops, continued introductions of locally sourced design elements, and increased emphasis on health and safety.
Some of Target’s recent openings and remodels are creative departures from the rest of its footprint, as you’ll see in the photos that follow. Let them serve as proof for the retailer’s commitment to design innovation and creating memorable shopper experiences.
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York
Target knew it was moving into a former movie theater, but the building’s previous clothing store tenant had completely covered up the ornate theater interiors. It was not until demolition started that Target gradually became aware of the beautiful, semi-preserved theater details.
📸 Richard Cadan Photography, Fairfield, CT
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York
Target worked with contractors and consultants to capture as much of the theater architectural features and ornate detailing as possible.
📸 Richard Cadan Photography, Fairfield, CT
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York
The glory of the original theater marquee and blade sign were recalled with new marquee tracing light bulbs and retro signage.
📸 Richard Cadan Photography, Fairfield, CT
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York
The store layout started with a typical plan and eventually morphed into a neighborhood-specific store, with this wall graphic in the low-ceiling checkout area paying tribute to the building’s history.
📸 Richard Cadan Photography, Fairfield, CT
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York
Like a theater prop, wood beams are suspended over the market produce area.
📸 Richard Cadan Photography, Fairfield, CT
Streeterville, Chicago
Seeing an opportunity to embrace the neighborhood’s past while serving a modern metropolitan clientele, Target turned this former warehouse in Streeterville into a flexible-format store that provides a personalized and locally relevant shopping experience.
📸 Gilbertson Photography, Shoreview, MN
Streeterville, Chicago
In the 1900s, the Streeterville neighborhood on Lake Michigan’s shoreline hosted warehouses, factories and the Ogden Slip shipping canal, which were foundations of Chicago’s booming industries.
📸 Gilbertson Photography, Shoreview, MN
Streeterville, Chicago
The shop’s exposed brick walls remain true to the site’s industrial heavy timber architecture, and are juxtaposed with up-to-date elements such as contemporary fixtures and linear lighting.
📸 Gilbertson Photography, Shoreview, MN
Streeterville, Chicago
Aimed at delivering an authentic shopping experience, the design maintains an original character while inserting modern Target standards.
📸 Gilbertson Photography, Shoreview, MN
Burlington, Vermont
For a new small-format store in The Green Mountain State, Target commissioned a local artist to produce a hand-painted mural with bold green shades for the checkout area.
Burlington, Vermont
Evoking the great outdoors once more, a Target-branded campfire scene welcomes guests to the former 60,000-square-foot retail space near the University of Vermont.
Portland, Oregon
A small-format store in Portland won Store of the Year honors in the 48th annual Shop! Awards, which recognize the best in retail design, including originality in the use of space and materials and the quality of concept execution.
Portland, Oregon
Renovating a former 1950s-era bowling alley building, designers paid homage to the store’s location with a nostalgic design.
Portland, Oregon
Artful wall graphics help the store blend in with local Powell Street neighborhood.
Disney Store at Target
After Walt Disney Corp. announced it would close 60 of its standalone stores this year, Target said it would expand its Disney shop-in-shops to more than 160 stores by the end of 2021.
Herald Square, Manhattan, New York
A small-format store in Midtown Manhattan was customized inside and out, and also serves as a handy pick-up point for online orders.
Herald Square, Manhattan, New York
The store features a curated selection of merchandise specific to the neighborhood that appeals to locals as well as tourists.
6 Target Stores That Broke the Design Mold
There were many reasons why Target (Minneapolis) was named the 2021 VMSD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year, not least of which is its design-oriented culture.
That culture inspired various initiatives for its physical stores in the past year, including more openings and renovations, more shop-in-shops, continued introductions of locally sourced design elements, and increased emphasis on health and safety.
Some of Target’s recent openings and remodels are creative departures from the rest of its footprint, as you’ll see in the photos that follow. Let them serve as proof for the retailer’s commitment to design innovation and creating memorable shopper experiences.