Committed to Investors

In order for a company to succeed they must have a good relationship with the public. Target has built a strong and trusted relationship with their public's. Each year they produce an annual report. The report includes features such as the years financial highlights, a letter to their shareholders, what was new for the year, strategy updates, the years sales per capita, a financial summary, shareholder information, and a list of the directors and management. Target's annual report is more of an economic piece with a bit of marketing included.

Target included their Securities and Exchange Commission 10-K filing which can be found online or in the actual paperback annual report. In the 2009 annual report Target made it clear to their investors what the value of Target's stocks and bonds were for the year and what they are looking forward to in 2010. They provided accurate and timely information for their shareholders. Even with the rough economic year Target delivered stronger than expected financial results according to their CEO Gregg Steinhafel.

Inside Target's annual report their shareholders can see what the 2009 year brought and what investors can expect for the upcoming year. Its an opportunity for Target to express their gratitude toward there customers and shareholders. Even with the economic difficulties in 2009 Target was still able to perform to the best of their abilities.

Inside the letter to our shareholders Target expresses their unwavering commitment to innovation and discipline ensured continued relevance with our guests. Target is committed to their customers and they will continue to do everything they can to meet the expectations of their customers and shareholders. Improvement of their expenses, investment in capital productivity, enhance their profits, and gross margin are all factors mentioned. Examples of how this will and is being done is addressed within the letter. The 2009 performance is looked at and explained in a reader-friendly way and then the 2010 goals are mentioned. Overall it is a credible and believable letter highlighting Target's commitment to their public's! As an investor reading the letter overall appreciation would be felt toward Target. Target's Here For Good motto shines through.

The latest press release, released on October 7th, 2010 reported September sales. It is reader friendly and a September, Quarter-to-Date, and Year-to-Date sales results are charted to allow for maximum reader understanding. A date for the next sales recording is even given.

Gregg Steinhafel, Targets CEO expresses that their September sales were not where they thought they would be; but there was a good result in other areas of their stores, including the back-to-school and back-to-college. The quote from Steinhafel is well-written and sincere. Although they had low sales results the upcoming months are going to bring about new programs (REDcard Rewards) along with the holiday seasons. At the end of October they will have no stores under construction and the new PFresh layout will be in 462 Target stores.

At the end of the news release a little segment is given about Target which enforces the feel good attitude they want their customers and shareholders to feel about their stores. Including a sentence on the $3 million they give away weekly to their communities. Any bad news was addressed, good news was given, and what shareholders have to look forward to in the upcoming months. 

Target manages their relationships with their various public's and it shows in the 2009 annual report, letter to the shareholder, and the latest press October press release. 

"Here for Good"

What do you think when you see the red bullseye? Automatically Target comes to mind, right!? Well that's exactly what they want. Target's commitment to you is: Expect More. Pay Less.

Target is "Here for Good"! Committed to strengthening, supporting, and inspiring over 1,700 communities in the United States alone and over 30 other countries around the world. Target plays an active role in the communities they serve both big and small. Each week Target provides 5 percent of their income, $3 million, to support education , the arts, social services, healthy communities, and volunteer efforts. By involving themselves in the various communities they serve they are building their reputation and relationships. Endless donating, volunteering, and supporting towards education, safe communities, healthy living, and sustainable practices shows how strongly committed Target is to their customers.

Target partners with various organizations to help participate actively in the communities they serve. Education is important and Target supports education inside their communities. Target's volunteer efforts and partnerships with various organizations help promote their commitment to education. One program called Meals For Minds provides the food that children need to succeed in school. This program was made possible with Target's sponsorship with Feeding America. Target Field Trip Grants allow schools to provide their students with hands on learning experiences. Take Charge of Education is another program featured by Target that allows the community to get involved with the support of education. Target REDcard members are able to donate a portion of their purchases to schools of their choice. Since 1997 there have been over $273 million donations in grades K-12. School Library Makeovers and the partnership with The Salvation Army have provided schools with renovated libraries by the volunteer efforts of Target's team members. 500 stores in 2010 participated in School Sprees to support children going back to school. Team members of Target have hosted in-store readings called Read Across America, supported by their partnership with Random House and The National Education Association. Making education accessible to all, Free Days are hosted by Target to attend museums and art events. Last year Target also donated over 400,000 books to various schools in their communities. Target is committed to their communities and helping inspire education.

Making sure the communities they serve are safe is another commitment Target stands by. Providing their volunteer efforts during times of disaster and promoting community safety programs helps Targets reputation. Disaster Preparedness Relief Kits are provided b Target to help communities affected by disasters. Target works with the American Red Cross, Feeding America, and The Salvation Army to make donations and contributions. They are committed to helping communities recover from disaster. This can be shown from their 2010 Haiti Relief Efforts where team members and students shipped over 1 million meals and donated over $500,000.

"We listen. We act. Before and after a crisis, communities can count on Target." Target&BLUE ensure that communities are strong, safe, and connected. Target teams up with local public safety leaders to help provide safety to their communities. Events such as Shop with a Cop, pairs children with an officer who need to buy holiday presents for their families. This builds a relationship between children and local safety figures.

Health and well-being is important in communities and Target makes sure they do everything they can to support the well-being of their customers. Target pharmacies provide over 300 generic prescriptions to make medicine more affordable. For eleven years Target House has provided families with apartments and housing during times of need when their child is receiving treatment or care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

In store efforts for health and well-being can be recognized by the products sold. Archer Farms Simply Balanced Foods provide nutritional information on the front of the package for easy reading. Alliance to Make US Healthiest founded by Target helps promote individual health in communities. Team members are also urged to practice healthy lifestyles.

Eco friendly products are also sold at Target and recycling stations are provided at all stores to make it easy for customers to recycle.  All stores have low flow faucets to help the environment. Target also gives 5 cents back to their customers who participate in using reusable bags. Since the 1970's when Target sponsored the first Earth Day and recycling program they have since been standing by their commitment to serve the community and its well-being!

With over 450,000 hours in volunteer work since 2009 Target is committed to their communities. Targets reputation is built on their service and outstanding legacy to their customers. They are one of the largest corporate philanthropists in the United States! Committed to making communities safer, healthier, environmentally friendly, and educated. They represent their commitment in stores, in advertisements, on Facebook, and Twitter. It is excellent public relations practices for Target. Target's name is everywhere from The Salvation Army to the billboard on top of Times Square in NYC. Their volunteer efforts, partnerships, sponsorships, and organizations help show how committed Target is to their communities. They are nationwide. Personally I think Target is doing a fabulous job!