Amid 27-store opening blast, Target debuts first Hawaii units

MINNEAPOLIS Target is breaking into the Hawaiian Islands for the first time, opening two new general merchandise stores with pharmacies in the midst of a 27-store grand opening blitz this coming weekend in markets throughout the United States.

Target’s entry into Hawaii is sure to pour more gasoline onto an already red-hot competitive inferno in the 50th state. Hawaii is home to local powerhouse Longs Drug Stores, which is retaining its powerful name in the Islands, despite its takeover last year by CVS Caremark. Given the chain’s long history serving Hawaii – and a market-leading presence of three dozen stores serving the state’s roughly 2 million residents – the Longs name remains a formidable market contender.

Also adding to the competitive heat: Walgreen Co., which is ramping up with several new stores in Honolulu and elsewhere after opening its first Hawaii store in October, 2007. The state is also home to Kmart and Wal-Mart stores with pharmacies.

Target will grand openings on March 8 in two Hawaii markets: Honolulu and Kapolei. Beyond that, the company is mute about its future plans for the islands. But the upscale discount chain’s determination to expand in the face of a dismal economic climate is clear. The Hawaii debut is part of a 27-store, simultaneous grand-opening celebration occurring Sunday in Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Iowa, California and other states. Among the new stores: 21 general merchandise stores with pharmacies – including a new Target in Rogers, Ark., the birthplace of Sam Walton’s first Wal-Mart store – and six SuperTarget locations.

“As of Sunday…Target will serve guests at 1,699 stores in 49 states [and] 34 distribution centers,” the company reported Tuesday.