The first Target store, opened by Dayton's in Roseville, Minnesota, in 1962, was called Target.
Dayton's, a Minneapolis department-store company, created Target as a discount-store division. The new chain aimed to offer stylish merchandise at affordable prices, distinguishing itself from purely utilitarian discount retailers.
Target's bullseye logo and red branding later became central parts of its identity. The company expanded beyond Minnesota and eventually changed its corporate name to Target Corporation in 2000.
Target's launch came in the same year that several major American discount retailers were established or expanded. It should not be confused with Dayton's department stores, which retained a separate identity until later corporate mergers.