Target expands store brands again with baby products, swimwear, lighting

Target has expanded its Cloud Island nursery decor brand into baby products such as diapers, wipes and bottles.

"With all of Target's new brands, we think about ways to expand upon the original idea," said Mark Tritton, Target's chief merchant, in a blog on the company's website. "As we talked about Cloud Island, the essentials category was always there. The idea was around better-for-you, dependable, affordable and accessible products that are good for your baby and your family. Now, building on the success we've seen with the brand over the past year, we're bringing that idea to life."

Minneapolis-based Target also launched a swimsuit brand this month called Kona Sol and is partnering with designer Leanne Ford of HGTV's "Restored by the Fords" for a limited-edition addition to Project 62 lighting.

The company has launched more than 20 private-label or exclusive brands in the past two years. In 2017, about one-third of its $71.9 billion in sales were from these brands. Already, two apparel brands — Cat & Jack and A New Day — have passed the $1 billion mark in sales.

The Cloud Island expansion is a continuation of Target's effort to increase its market share in the baby and children's categories after the bankruptcy of Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us. The retailer made a huge push to increase its toy business by expanding both the number of items and footprint in stores of the toy department.

With the Babies 'R' Us closures comes the opportunity to increase both essentials and registries businesses. According to CNBC, Walmart has revamped its baby section on its website, and Amazon has quietly launched a diaper brand called Earth + Eden.

Target has reported inroads into the baby category. It was one of the strongest performers in the all-important holiday season, and Target's baby registry business increase was in the double-digit percentages, the company said.

ssortment and also met with pediatricians and dermatologists to make sure the items had their stamp of approval.
The process has taken two years, and with the success of Cloud Island, it made sense to Target to expand the brand with the new products.

Target used the same type of thinking in developing the Kona Sol line, the retailer's first private-label swimwear brand. The company says it has been the biggest seller of swimwear since 2015, so employees wanted to build on what already was a success not change it.

Kona Sol, the company said, are "modern, classically cut bathing suits designed for women of every age."

"We know the search for the perfect swimsuit can be daunting. Our goal is to make shopping for swimwear fun, easy and inspiring," Tritton said. "We created Kona Sol to complement our already incredible assortment of on-trend swimwear, giving women a full range of size and style options, all at an incredible value."

The swimwear line has sizes from extra small to plus size 26W

Target will continue to add to its exclusive partnerships next month a limited-time partnership with interior designer Ford on Project 62 lighting decor.

"Lighting is everything," Ford said on a Target blog. "It's one of the most important elements in a space, if not the most important. And if you pick the right piece, it doubles as a work of art."

The Ford-curated items will hit the store and website on Feb. 10, with prices starting at $29.99.

"Leanne's modern, approachable aesthetic is a beautiful complement to Project 62," said Jill Sando, senior vice president of merchandising for Target. "This capsule collection is the perfect way to expand our lighting assortment—especially with large-scale pieces—while giving guests even more inspiration to create their own unique looks at home."