by Minneapolis, MN – While many major retailers are scaling back their physical footprints, Target is moving in the opposite direction, quietly preparing to open dozens of new stores across the United States. The Minnesota-based retailer has identified nearly 40 future store sites, signalling continued confidence in brick-and-mortar shopping even as competitors announce closures.
Target confirmed that the locations listed on its website represent upcoming store sites, though officials caution the list does not reflect every store currently in development and does not capture the full scope of openings planned for 2026 and beyond.
Target’s Expansion Strategy Explained
According to a Target spokesperson, the company regularly updates its public-facing list of future locations but releases detailed timelines only as each opening approaches. Some stores labeled “upcoming” online have already opened in recent months, highlighting the fluid nature of the development process.
The expansion comes at a time when several national retailers are downsizing due to underperformance, shifting consumer habits, or rising operational costs. Target’s approach stands out, focusing on strategic growth in both suburban and developing markets while anchoring mixed-use and redevelopment projects.
Recently Opened and Newly Added Locations
Several stores previously listed as “upcoming” opened in the fall, including locations in Queen Creek, Arizona; Fresno, California; Wesley Chapel Grove, Florida; Grand Island, Nebraska; Indian Land, South Carolina; Stafford, Texas; and South Riding, Virginia.
As of December 2025, Target is planning its largest concentration of growth in:
- North Carolina with 5 stores
- Texas with 5 stores
- Florida with 4 stores
In addition, 18 other states are expected to receive at least one new Target location in the coming years.
Full List of Target’s Planned Expansion Sites
Target says it expects to expand in the following communities:
- Arizona: Buckeye, East Mesa
- California: Bakersfield, Perris
- Colorado: Denver, Firestone
- Florida: Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale, Lake Nona, Winter Haven
- Georgia: Covington
- Idaho: Chubbuck
- Kentucky: Frankfort
- Ohio: Lima
- Pennsylvania: Hermitage
- Massachusetts: Springfield
- Missouri: Springfield, University City
- Mississippi: Tupelo
- New Jersey: West Orange
- New York: Bridgehampton
- North Carolina: Fayetteville, Fuquay-Varina, Mebane, Myrtle Grove, Selma
- South Carolina: Lexington, Seneca
- South Dakota: Brookings
- Texas: Dallas, Forney, Fort Worth, Katy, Little Elm
- Utah: Herriman, Lehi, Logan
- Virginia: Norfolk
- Wisconsin: Brown Deer
Hiring and 2026 Opening Timeline
Five locations — Bakersfield, California; Springfield, Missouri; West Orange, New Jersey; Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; and Dallas, Texas — are already actively hiring, signaling progress toward opening. Target said these stores, along with sites in Delano, California, and Jersey City, New Jersey, are currently slated to open in spring 2026.
Most of the remaining stores are expected to open later in 2026, often tied to larger development projects.
- Buckeye, Arizona, and Lake Nona, Florida, were previously expected to open in spring
- Frankfort, Kentucky, could open in summer 2026
- Hermitage, Pennsylvania, may be ready by the end of 2026
Redevelopment Projects and Former Retail Sites
Many of Target’s upcoming stores are part of redevelopment efforts, replacing long-shuttered retail spaces. These include former Sears locations in Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale, a closed Macy’s store in Lima, an aging mall in Logan, and the nation’s last full-size Kmart in Bridgehampton.
In Norfolk, Virginia, city officials announced Target will occupy the site of a former Kroger store. Meanwhile, Target will anchor the growing Covington Town Center outside Atlanta and major developments in Winter Haven, Myrtle Grove, and Lexington, the latter overseen by a company co-owned by former NFL star Emmitt Smith.
Local reporting cited by Nexstar indicates construction could begin next year on the Chubbuck, Idaho, location, with an opening possibly in 2027, while the Tupelo, Mississippi, store is expected within the next two years. The Mebane, North Carolina, store will be the city’s first-ever Target.
Why This Matters for Communities
Target’s expansion brings more than just shopping convenience. New stores often create hundreds of local jobs, stimulate surrounding development, and revive underused commercial properties. For residents in retail deserts or fast-growing suburbs, the arrival of a Target can significantly reduce travel time for everyday essentials.
Conclusion
As other retailers pull back, Target’s steady expansion underscores a belief that physical stores still play a vital role in modern retail. By focusing on redevelopment projects and high-growth regions, the company appears intent on strengthening its national presence well into 2026 and beyond.
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