Customer Reviews

On Target: How the World's Hottest Retailer Hit a Bullseye

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a 24-plus year team member with Target Stores I was skeptical in reading a book about a company that I know everything about, or so I thought. I was pleasantly suprised at Laura Rowley's "On Target." As an insider, I found the book to be accurate and balanced. Rowley gives a detailed account of the rich family history behind the Bulls-eye as well as examining Target's operations. "On Target" explores Target's advertsing strategies, service and technology, guidelines for growth, and looks ahead at some of the challenges the company faces. In addition, Rowley peeks into the philanthropic side of Target, exposes Target's artistic character, and reveals what separates Target from its competitors. "On Target" is well-written, easy to read, and hits the mark.

Being from Michigan, I used to have a sort kin'ship with Target, and it's family of stores. Hudsons was the LAST of the real department stores, and although I'm not sure I ever shoped there, I still remember THE Hudson's store in Detroit. And who could for get the Hudson's Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade? So when I found this book in a discount bin I though... Why not? What I didn't realize is how wide ranging and insightful the company is. As your reading the book, you find you self saying over and over again.... "WOW.. I never realized that that was what I like about Target" For example, ever notice there's no music playing overhead? Me either, and till it was pointed out. If you have a background or even an interest in retail, marketing, or corprate structure this book is a must. If all that stuff bores you, and you just love to shop... well... then it's still a great book.

I read this book upon the advice of an HR staff member at Target interviewing me for a management position. While I found the history of Target informative and interesting, the remainder of the book was simply an extensive marketing packet for the company. There was little to no objectivity, especially when the author bashes Walmart and Kmart as incompetent and bland, boring competitors to Target. Furthermore, the author admits to having close relatives within the executive hierarchy of Target! It seems like a conflict of interest... One other thing that bugged me was that despite this being a paperback edition, there were still grammatical errors on one in every three pages. I'm not exaggerating, it really made me cringe at times. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone except current Target employees looking to impress their managers.

If you've ever been to a Target store, you already know why the chain is so popular--fun items, attractive lighting and floor set ups and great prices. This book gives a peek behind the scenes of the corporation and how it makes such smart decisions. The author is obviously a fan of the store herself and she lets many other customers talk about their likes and dislikes. The history of the Dayton Hudson company is fascinating. All and all, a terrific read.

I believe that Target Corp is always lost in the shadow of the venerable Wal-Mart Corporation. This I believe is the first book that gives a complete and interesting account into the Target Company's history, philosophy, and activities.

It is good to know that in the future Wal-Mart will not be the only place in the world to shop. It is good to know that companies like Target will be there to challenge them even though they don't compete on the same level.

The book is a fast and light read, great for vacations, plane rides, and other excursions.
Yet the book goes to lengthy details about the many aspects of Target.

I highly recommend this book.

My two rating is graded on the curve. Could have been a one. I found myself skimming most of the book. It would probably mostly appeal to Target fans who are women and have an interest in businesss. 4 out of 5 Target customers are women. The book covers a lot about the history of the Daytons and how it grew into Target, but not about the inter-day workings and decisions. The book isn't worth more than a quick evening's read. It's interesting that the people who wrote a piece for the back cover (Stuart Varney and the author's Self supervisor/colleague) have/had a business realtionship to the author. No really notables who were canvassed or who offered their reviews.

If you want to read about retail business, there are plenty of other books about Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Starbucks, et al which are much more interesting and a better investment of your leisure time.

Target is one of the most popular retailers today and Rowley recounts their development from a Minnesota store to cross country superstar. This book is best read in conjunction with Sam Walton's made in America. Although it is fairly agreed upon today that Wal-Mart and Target do not compete with each other they did initially and the difference between the two is instructive. Target uses wider aisles as well as bigger floor space. Their selection is meant to be higher end and there goal was to capture middle class discounters. The stores development is well written and Rowley adds some of the fun stories along the way. This is a great book for those interested in retail and a very quick and fun read.

If you are a fan of Target, or passionate about the retail industry (as I am!), 'On Target' is a broad overview of the history of Target. The first five chapters explore what Target is--a high end discounter--and some of the tactics the company uses in its success. Chapters 6-8 explore the history of the company, and recognizes the Dayton family for being honest, hardworking, and ambitious. Chapters 9-11 explore some of Target's challenges and strategy.

This book is a good overview, but at less than 200 pages only skims the surface of what makes Target. The author takes a very positive view, which may be entirely appropriate given the success of the company and the upstanding Dayton family. However, there were certainly challenges, mis-steps, and successes that went in to building the brand and the stores that could have gone much further in understanding the company.

A must read for industry watchers, and an enjoyable read for customers or suppliers. Not the definitive analysis of what or who makes Target what it is.

Anyone who loves shopping in Target would enjoy this easy-to-read look at the top retailer. And anyone in business -- whether or not they've been to a Target store -- should read it for insight on extraordinary success.

Great book on a great company!!! Target is known for being Fast, Fun, and Friendly. This book is a must for all retailers to know how do to do it right...the first time!!!