Visualizing the Growth of Target, 1962-2008 | FlowingData

 

FLOWING DATA previously did the same sort of map showing WAL-MART's growth across the country. It's strangely hypnotic.

Visualizing the Growth of Target, 1962-2008 | FlowingData: — A FLOWINGDATA PROJECT — The first Target opened in 1962 in Roseville, Minnesota, and by 1972 there were 46. The corporation focused mostly on expansion in the Central United States for the next decade, but in 1982, Target acquired 33 FedMart stores in Arizona, California, and Texas. There are now over 1,600 stores across the United States.

Comments

[J. Strupp]

I think you've seen the peak in new store openings for both companies.

[John Michlig]

They certainly own the high ground and can afford to rest or even retract a bit.

Now watch the rising scourge of EMPTY BIG BOX BUILDINGS.

[JCG]

"They certainly own the high ground and can afford to rest or even retract a bit."

Sounds good, but the nature of the beast is that they must keep expanding or die. The need for continually growing returns for the shareholders and the corporation's legal obligation to meet that need dictates such.

Must. Keep. Growing. Until. Too. Big. To. Fail. That's the world we live in - it's all or nothing (or more accurately, all and then nothing).

[John Michlig]

That is an excellent observation, but we may see the paradigm shift in the upcoming business climate. A lot of "culture-shifts" are due to occur - - including, perhaps, the idea of "grow or die."