Chances are most people who shop at Target are there for household goods like laundry detergent, diapers, and dog food.
Plus, the company has doubled down on groceries over the last couple of years, with the store becoming more of a one-stop shop. In fact, the company’s food and beverage sales increased from $15 billion in 2019 to more than $24 billion in 2024, according to the company’s website.
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But Target (TGT) also has a decades-long history of launching short-term “cheap and chic” collaborations that fashionistas especially love.
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Target’s inaugural collab launched in 2003 with designer Isaac Mizrahi and was a huge hit — to the tune of $300 million during its five-year run. In the the ensuing decades, Target has partnered with high-fashion luxury brands like Missoni, Rodarte, and Diane von Furstenberg and with more attainable brands such as Levi’s, Champion, and Marimekko.
Diane von Furstenberg x Target items sold out quickly in 2024.
Source: Photo by Gotham/GC Images
Target shoppers love high fashion at attainable prices
Target collaborations tend to sell out quickly, and there’s even a whole community of fashion bloggers who share tips on how customers can get their hands on the limited-quantity collections.
Many of the designer collabs also get a second life on high-end resale outlets like Poshmark and TheRealReal, which is not where you’d expect to find Target garments.
One reason the collabs succeed is that they appeal to people who love high fashion. While they might dream of being able to buy, say, a Stella McCartney dress, at $1,000+, it’s just not in the budget. But a $100 Stella McCartney x Target frock is affordable.
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Other consumers favor more middle-of-the-road brands like Levi’s, and they appreciate the ongoing Levi’s/Target collaboration for its focus on sustainability and fair trade materials. The Levi’s collection at Target also features home goods, which the brand doesn’t sell in its own stores.
The Kate Spade New York x Target collab is the store’s biggest ever
Target’s latest collaboration, and its largest to date, is with Kate Spade New York. The 300-piece collection includes everything from clothing and handbags/accessories to home entertaining goods and party supplies — plus a party tent and a bike.
Kate Spade New York is known for its splashy colors and bold patterns, and this collection is on brand.
Items start at $5 (e.g., candles and party invites) all the way up to a cruiser bike, available in black and white or cherry red, for $299. Most offerings in the fashion collection, including handbags, are $20 to $50. Half the products in the Kate Spade New York x Target collection cost less than $15.
A Kate Spade New York handbag can cost between $148 and $498. Dresses range from $298 to $498.
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Target has come under fire in recent months for backing away from its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, although some of the anti-Target fervor seems to have quieted down.
“With versatile pieces that work for every occasion and can’t-miss prices, this partnership brings together Kate Spade’s signature style with Target’s legacy of making the best design accessible to all,” said Target’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Apparel and Accessories, Home and Hardlines Jill Sando, in a statement. “Our teams worked together for two years to create this collection, and I can’t wait for consumers to see everything we have to offer. It’s stylish, affordable, and loaded with items that’ll add plenty of joy to everyday moments.”
The Kate Spade New York x Target line drops April 12 at 3 a.m. ET.
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