Target Opens Its First Fresh DC

MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. here, in partnership with Supervalu, Inc., also based here, plans to open its first fresh foods distribution center, in Lake City, Fla., in late summer 2008. Target said the facility, which will be its first company-owned perishables distribution center, will enable the supercenter operator to ship frozen, refrigerated, and fresh produce items to stores in the Southeast.

This is not the first time Target and Supervalu have formed a business alliance. In October 2003 the companies together opened a dedicated frozen, refrigerated, and fresh produce facility for Target's Southwest region stores.

Supervalu also provides these products to Target stores around the country from three of its other facilities. Target, which operates 1,488 stores in 47 states, has been and will continue to distribute virtually all dry grocery items through its regional distribution centers, it said.

"Our food offerings continue to expand across all Target store formats, and we felt now was the right time to enhance our internal capabilities with respect to the direct sourcing and food distribution center management," said Mitch Stover, Target's s,v.p./distribution services. "Target will continue to partner with valued wholesale distributors to ensure our guests receive the freshest and highest-quality food products possible."

As Target's food business continues to evolve, the company said it plans to open additional food distribution centers over the next several years in specific markets as part of its overall distribution network of wholesalers, direct-to-store, and regional distribution centers.