Is Target Owned By Walmart In 2026? A Complete Guide

No, Target is not owned by Walmart. Target is owned and operated by the Target Corporation, which was previously known as the Dayton-Hudson Corporation until a name change in 2000.

While they are two of America‘s largest big-box retailers known for affordable prices, Walmart and Target have always had separate ownership and distinct brand identities.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into:

• The origins and histories of Target and Walmart
• What each brand is known for
• Comparing their business models and operations
• Why people often confuse these massive chains
• And more key facts about the relationship between the retail giants

Let‘s start by going back to where Target began over a century ago.

History and Origins of Target

Target traces its roots back to 1902 when the Dayton Dry Goods Company was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first Dayton‘s department store opened on Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.

• 1902: George D. Dayton opens the first Dayton‘s department store in Minneapolis
• 1962: The first Target discount store debuts in Roseville, Minnesota
• 1966: Target expands to Denver, Colorado for the first time
• 1968: The Dayton Company merges with the J.L. Hudson Company, forming the Dayton-Hudson Corporation
• 2000: Dayton-Hudson Corporation rebrands as Target Corporation

The first Target store opened in 1962 in Roseville under the leadership of John F. Geisse. It established the Target name and discount retail concept.

By 1967, Target had expanded to 24 stores across six states and annual revenues hit $150 million. In the 1970s, Target continued growing withbanner yeаrs like 1976 when they opened 21 new stores.

Today, Target has over 1,900 stores across the United States. The company has transformed from its department store origins into a mass retailer with a store within 15 miles of 75% of the U.S. population.

What Is Target Known For?

Target has crafted an identity as a one-stop shop with trendy, quality merchandise across categories like clothing, home furnishings, toys, groceries and more.

The typical Target store is bright, spacious, and full of deals on brand name and exclusive items. Some standout facts:

• Offerings: Apparel, home/kitchen, furniture, electronics, books, groceries, medication, and more. Target sells over 39,000 items per store.

• Brand names: Categories feature popular brands like Apple, Nike, Disney, and Levi‘s. Target also operates "shop-in-shop" concept areas.

• Private labels: Target offers high quality alternatives under 13 owned brands like Cat & Jack, Goodfellow, and Market Pantry. Their labels generate over $29 billion annually.

• Pricing: Target positions itself as "cheap chic," offering discounts between 10-50%.about 15-20% cheaper than primary competitors.

• Convenience: Easy one-stop shops with around 130,000 square feet per store on average. 95% of customers can find a Target within 10 miles.

• Trend-focused: Target stays ahead of trends with partnerships like "Lilly Pulitzer for Target" and "Hunter for Target" collections.

The "Target effect" refers to shoppers being drawn in by specific deals but walking out with much more. The retailer has mastered consumer psychology.

When and How Walmart Was Founded

While Target has early 1900s roots, Walmart‘s origin story begins much later in the 1960s.

• 1962: Sam Walton opens the first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas
• 1970: Walmart goes public on the New York Stock Exchange
• 1988: The first Walmart Supercenter opens in Missouri
• 1992: Sam Walton passes away, his son S. Robson Walton becomes Chairman
• 2022: Over 10,500 Walmart stores globally, one of the world‘s largest companies

Founder Sam Walton purchased a Ben Franklin franchised variety store in Arkansas in 1945. This inspired him to launch his own company.

The first official Walmart opened in 1962 based on Walton‘s vision to bring discounted goods to small, rural towns. Walmart grew rapidly across the South before expanding nationally in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Today, nearly 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart location. The company also expanded internationally starting in 1991.

Walmart‘s Retail Empire: Key Company Ownership

Walmart has acquired many retail brands over the years while expanding globally:

Walmart US: Over 4,700 Walmart stores nationwide

Sam‘s Club: 600+ membership warehouse clubs

Walmart International: Brands include Walmex in Mexico, Flipkart in India

Asda: Formerly owned this UK supermarket chain until selling to the Issa brothers in 2021

Seiyu: Acquired a majority stake in Japanese supermarket chain Seiyu in 2002

Massmart: Purchased this South African retailer in 2011

Walmart has also bought a number of e-commerce companies including Jet.com, Bonobos, ModCloth, Moosejaw, Hayneedle, and ShoeBuy.

However, Walmart does not own Target. While they have bought struggling Target Canada store locations, they do not own or control the core Target Corporation.

Target vs. Walmart: How Do The Retail Giants Compare?

Target and Walmart have distinct histories and owners, but comparing key aspects of their business models reveals striking similarities:

Category	Target	Walmart
Store Count	1,934 stores	4,700+ Walmart US stores
Locations	All 50 states	All 50 states
Shopper Demographics	Millennials, middle and upper-middle income households	Broad mix – lower and middle-income
Pricing	"Cheap chic," 10-50% discounts	"Everyday low prices," up to 30% discounts
Product Assortment	Wide range from fashion to groceries	Massive range from produce to tires
Private Label Brands	13 owned brands like Cat & Jack	About 30 owned brands like Great Value
Average Store Size	Approx. 130,000 square feet	Similar at approx. 105,000 – 260,000 square feet
Weekly Store Traffic	Average 300k+ visits per week	Over 200 million visits per week nationally
eCommerce	Apps, order online, same-day delivery	Curbside pickup, delivery, Walmart+ membership
Loyalty Programs	Target Circle offers 1% cash back	Walmart+ offers free delivery
2021 Revenue	$106 billion	$573 billion

This comparison makes it obvious why consumers might assume Target is an extension of Walmart. However, the context of their growth and brand identities showcase the differences.

Why Do People Think Target is Owned by Walmart?

With such similar business models, store formats, locations, and brand reputations for value, it‘s no wonder why some assume Target falls under Walmart‘s umbrella.

Additional reasons this misconception persists:

• Overlapping offerings: Both retailers sell an almost identical array of everyday goods from clothing to pantry items.

• Geographic dominance: With thousands of locations each, Target and Walmart saturate the same suburban and rural markets.

• One-stop shops: Target and Walmart provide convenient one-stop shops saving time and money.

• Shopper demographics: Middle America shops at both chains for deals on family essentials.

• Uninformed views: Those less familiar with the brands assume two similar discount chains = the same company.

• Private label expansion: As Target grows brands like Good & Gather, it increases private label overlap with Great Value.

• Retail ecosystem: People expect complementary big-box stores to be linked, like Lowe‘s and Home Depot in home improvement.

But in reality, the cross-country growth of Target and Walmart occurred independently even if following similar playbooks.

Walmart Has Acquired Some Target Assets

It‘s true Walmart has purchased a small number of Target locations and assets, but these were isolated cases:

• In 2015, Walmart acquired 13 former Target stores in Canada following Target‘s failed Canadian expansion resulting in closures.

• When specific Target sites have gone out of business, Walmart has taken over the lease or property. However, this is rare.

• Walmart purchased some brands previously held by Target like Coobie bras in 2020.

• When Target decided to stop printing magazines in 2019, Walmart‘s Store No. 8 acquired Target‘s advertising and tech capabilities related to their publishing arm.

Despite these occasional one-off deals for real estate or select assets, Walmart does not control or own Target as a corporation.

Target and Walmart: Different Companies, Common Goals

While Target Corporation and Walmart Inc. are distinct entities with separate founders and histories, they do share common goals as mass market retailers.

Both chains have mastered offering a one-stop shopping experience across thousands of convenient locations with friendly service and budget-friendly prices.

They may compete for America‘s wallet share, but their continued success stems from similar core principles even as technology shapes shopping habits. Their brand empires stand on their own.

So in summary:

No, Walmart does not own Target.

Target is owned and operated by Minneapolis-based Target Corporation, evolving from the Dayton Dry Goods Company founded over a century ago.

Walmart was established much later by Sam Walton in rural Arkansas in the 1960s. Despite their similar models, the two companies have always had distinct ownership and directions.

Hopefully this guide cleared up the facts around Target‘s ownership and origins while showcasing how it established a unique brand identity alongside stores like Walmart.

The next time you‘re browsing deals at Target, remember it‘s a retailer with a 100+ year legacy of bringing affordable style and convenience to shoppers across America.