Target expanding Cat & Jack brand at Hudson’s Bay; to explore other wholesale deals
Target Corp. is looking to dive deeper into wholesale on the heels of its first wholesale deal.
Target made its first foray into wholesale early this spring, bringing nearly 1,400 apparel items from its private Cat & Jack kids’ brand to all Hudson’s Bay stores in Canada and TheBay.com. The early response from Hudson’s Bay customers has been so positive that Target is expanding the selection to include swim, outerwear and shoes, the company said. It also is exploring new opportunities with other retailers.
Since the Cat & Jack collection launched at Hudson’s Bay, customers have been buying more kids’ apparel each shopping trip with a 15% increase in their basket size, according to Target. Most of the products are priced under $20 Canadian dollars.
“It’s been so exciting to see the way Canadian consumers have responded to the exceptional value Cat & Jack offers,” said Christina Hennington, Target’s chief growth officer. “That combination of amazing design, high quality and great prices sets Target’s owned brands apart, and we’re pleased to extend these brands to more consumers outside of our home market.”
Target said it plans to continue its wholesale expansion with Hudson’s Bay and to also “explore opportunities in new markets and with great retail partners to bring our brands to more consumers, with a focus on the long-term potential.” (According to a recent report by NuOrder, wholesale remains the most consistent sales channel for brands
Target’s owned brand business brings in more than $30 billion in annual sales, with more than ten generating more than $1 billion annually. The retailer continues to expand its private brand portfolio, with its newest addition being Dealworthy, which launched in February and is aimed at budget-minded consumers.
The line features nearly 400 "everyday" products across four categories: apparel and accessories, essentials and beauty, electronics and home items. Prices start at less than $1, with most items under $10.