Target strikes deal with jeweler Kendra Scott as it gets ready for holiday season

Target stated Tuesday that it has struck a deal with jeweler Kendra Scott to hold unique collections of earrings, bracelets and extra, as it appears to be like to get its sparkle again forward of the important thing holiday season.

The low-cost stylish retailer has established a status for launching its personal manufacturers and dedicating components of its shops to merchandise from well-recognized nationwide names, such as Levi Strauss, Disney and Apple. It has mini Ulta Beauty outlets within a rising variety of its shops, too.

With the brand new deal, colourful jewellery designed by Kendra Scott for Target might be out there on-line and at about 150 shops. The first assortment of greater than 200 objects, which vary from $15 to $60, will hit on October 22 — simply as clients are placing holiday buying lists collectively and snagging early presents. Most objects value lower than $40, Target stated.

The big-box retailer declined to share the deal’s monetary phrases, however described it as “a long-term strategic partnership.”

The previous yr and a half has introduced a pointy dose of actuality for Target, which thrived and gained market share in the course of the pandemic. The retailer dealt with the fallout of having the wrong merchandise final yr as customers went out and about once more.

In newer quarters, Target customers have pulled back on buying clothing, home decor and other discretionary items whereas they spend extra on experiences and pay increased grocery payments due to inflation. The firm additionally faced public backlash over its Pride merchandise assortment, which dinged sales in the most recent quarter. It has additionally pointed to organized retail theft as a problem weighing on income.

Target cut its forecast in August. It stated it now expects comparable gross sales to drop by round mid single digits, and earnings per share to vary from $7 to $8 for the total fiscal yr.

Shares of Target have fallen practically 18% this yr, far behind the 17% positive aspects of the S&P 500. The firm’s inventory hit a 52-week low in late August.

On an name with reporters final month, CEO Brian Cornell stated Target expects customers will feel pressured in the coming months due to the return of scholar mortgage funds, rising rates of interest, and the nonetheless increased value of requirements.

Yet Target has had luck getting customers so as to add some discretionary objects to their baskets: make-up and different magnificence objects.

Sales at its mini Ulta outlets within the fiscal second quarter greater than doubled, and gross sales of different magnificence objects posted double-digit positive aspects in contrast with a yr in the past, Target’s Chief Growth Officer Christina Hennington stated final month.

That’s a system it needs to copy in different classes like jewellery.