Staff Report
Target plans to open its first store in Santa Barbara in October, a 34,000-square foot, small-format store in the Galleria at the corner of State Street and La Cumbre Road.
Target officials say their strategic priorities include reaching new shoppers by expanding small-format stores in dense suburban neighborhoods, urban areas and near college campuses.
The retailer is on track to operate 130 small-format stores by the end of 2019, serving new customers in communities and neighborhoods where a traditional-sized Target store may not fit. The company says that shoppers at its existing small-format stores around the country have responded well.
“We are thrilled to be joining the Santa Barbara community in 2018 and look forward to providing guests with a convenient shopping experience that is uniquely Target. Our Galleria store will offer residents and visitors the ease and inspiration of a curated assortment of home goods, apparel and more, as well as a pick-up point for online orders,” said Mark Schindele, Target’s senior vice president for properties.
Target has signed a lease with Gryphon Capital for the Galleria store, which will offer residents and visitors a quick-trip shopping experience with an assortment that includes groceries; adult beverages; home décor and accessories; beauty products; toys and sporting goods; portable technology items and accessories; clothing and accessories for men, women and children; and a CVS Pharmacy.
Target’s order pickup service allows customers to buy online but get secure delivery at a store.
Company officials say the Galleria Target store will employ 50 to 70 people.
In October, the company announced plans to raise its minimum hourly wage to $11, along with a commitment to increasing it minimum hourly wage to $15 by the end of 2020, as part of a strategy to hire and retain good employees and provide the best possible shopping experience for customers.
