Target decides to close 'Shops at Target' boutiques
The "Shops at Target" are no more, the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal reports.
The Minneapolis-based retailer announced late Friday that it is done experimenting with the concept, which featured a handful of select independent boutique retailers in their stores.
The Shops at Target featured limed edition merchandise from five boutique retailers across the country, and sold everything from candy to dishes and clothes. The first group of boutiques opened in May 2012.
Target spokeswoman Katie Boylan told the Star Tribune that there are no plans for a future "flight" of Shops at Target, but the retailer has "a number of collaborations planned for 2013 and beyond."
Boylan didn't completely rule out bringing the Shops back at some point.
Target did not release sales figures for the Shops at Target, but analysts believe the shops didn't make much of an impact with customers.
Even if the Shops didn't make an impact financially, they did in other ways. An analyst from Janney Capital Management told the Business Journal that "Target got tons of publicity" and that there is "no detriment" with that.
Meanwhile, Target has been experiencing success with other collaborations -- most recently with Prabal Gurung fashion collection, which sold out in one day in February, the Business Journal says.
