Retailer Targets Amazon
Target Corp. is the latest company to create a strategic partnership with online retailer Amazon.com. The five-year alliance allows Target to utilize Amazon’s ordering and customer service systems on their current online sales sites, including target.com, MarshallFields.com, Mervyns.com and GiftCatalog.com. The collaboration is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2002 and Target will continue to own the online properties.
Additionally, Target will open an online store on Amazon.com this fall offering thousands of clothing, home, electronics and jewelry products. As a result of this alliance, Amazon.com will receive per unit fees and annual fixed fees.
“Target.com has experienced tremendous growth in the past twelve months and we believe this new Target store at Amazon.com provides another opportunity to expand our business,” said Jerry Storch, vice chairman of Target.
Founded in 1962, Target Corp. already operates target.direct, the e-commerce and catalog division and target.com, which includes over 15,000 products and gifts.
In addition to Target, Amazon also recently made deals with book retailer Borders Group Inc. and consumer electronics company Circuit City.