Minneapolis-based, Target Corporation, is a general merchandise retailer. The companys retail division includes store brands, Target, Mervyn's and Marshall Field's. Target is a discount chain that, as of 1 February 2003, operated 1,147 Target stores in 48 states. Mervyn's is a promotional, middle market, neighbourhood department store with 264 operating stores, while Marshall Field's is a more traditional department store chain, operating 64 stores in eight states.