Target's Exit From Canada Isn't a Failed Expansion. It's a Botched Invasion

Chain moved too fast and never bothered listening to the locals

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

The news that American big-box giant Target is throwing in the towel on its Canadian operations—shutting down 133 stores, laying off 17,000 employees, and writing down a $5.4 billion pretax loss for Q4—exploded across the Web today and, within hours, also became a succinct lesson in how not to operate a retail chain.

Widespread complaints of limited choices, surprisingly high prices and even bare-naked shelves constitute just a few of the violations of Retail 101.

As one analyst told Reuters: "Anything you could have gotten wrong in the playbook, they got wrong."

Most retail experts agree that Target's problems were principally operational ones.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in