In the race against Amazon and other rivals, Target is using its growing fleet of small-format stores (which will total 130 by the end of 2019) as a major competitive advantage. These stores, mainly in urban, suburban and college markets, offer something shoppers can’t order off Amazon — immediate gratification and a highly-curated assortment to match the needs of the neighborhood. Yet, these stores easily lose their value if they can’t keep pace with Amazon’s speediness and convenience in delivery.
