MINNEAPOLIS — Though it is not expanding at the pace it has in recent years, mega retailer Target is still very active. Ryan Cos., which maintains a headquarters in Target's hometown of Minneapolis, is currently completing renovations on nine for the retailer's distribution facilities.
Work was recently completed at Target distribution centers in Shafter, Calif.; Lake City, Fla.; Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Lugoff, S.C. Construction at these facilities, like all of the projects, focused on installing technology upgrades that would make the centers more efficient. In addition, the Shafter facility was expanded by approximately 250,000 square feet, and the Lugoff facility was expanded by 452,000 square feet.
Construction is currently under way at distribution centers in Phoenix; Rialto Calif.; Pueblo, Colo.; Amsterdam, N.Y.; and Denton, Texas. Of the projects under construction, the Amsterdam facility is being expanded by approximately 410,000 square feet, and the Rialto facility is being expanded by 250,000 square feet. Ryan is also completing smaller projects at Targets across the country that are part of the company's strategy to remodel the stores' grocery sections. The highest numbers of these projects are taking place in the California and Twin Cities markets.
“This last year has been a lot of renovation and remodel projects [for us],” says Eric Engh, division vice president with Ryan Cos. “With the economy as it is, most of our clients went in that direction…In terms of retail, we keep our focus relatively tight to a few key clients and relationships. [These companies] appear to have plans going forward to continue completing technological efficiencies and some new ground-up projects that are coming down the pipeline over the next 12 months.”
Target is also celebrating the symmetry created by the upcoming date 10/10/10 by opening 10 new stores on that day. Half of the locations are in California, with stores opening in Azusa, Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Jose and Simi Valley. Other stores will open in Little Rock, Ark.; Christiana, Del.; Braintree, Mass.; Flushing, N.Y.; and Salt Lake City. Target currently operates 1,743 stores in 49 states.
— Coleman Wood