Target Corporation · Minneapolis, MN United States ·(NYSE: TGT)

Purveyor of all that is cheap, yet chic, fast-growing Target Corporation has bulked up by slimming down. The nation's #2 discount chain (behind Wal-Mart) now operates about 1,700 Target and SuperTarget stores in 48 states, as well as an online business called Target.com. Target and its larger grocery-carrying incarnation, SuperTarget, have carved out a niche by offering more upscale, fashion-forward merchandise than rivals Wal-Mart and Kmart. After years of struggling to turn around its Marshall Field's and Mervyns department stores divisions, the discounter sold them both in 2004. Target also owns apparel supplier The Associated Merchandising Corp. and issues Target Visa and its proprietary Target Card. To read the full description, subscribe now.