Target Corporation reported that its net retail sales for the four weeks ended August 30, 2003 increased 12.4 percent to $3.632 billion from $3.231 billion for the four-week period ended August 31, 2002. Comparable-store sales increased 5.7 percent from fiscal August 2002.

“Sales at Target Corporation were above plan in August, driven by well- above-plan sales at Target Stores,” said Bob Ulrich, chairman and chief executive officer of Target Corporation. “We are encouraged by this recent strength in sales at our Target division, and we remain comfortable with our previous guidance for third quarter earnings.”

                           Sales     Total Sales  Comparable Stores % Change                           
                          (millions)   % Change        This Year    Last Year
     August
     Target                 $3,116        15.9            8.3           0.5
     Mervyn's                  292        (8.2)           (8.9)        (2.5)
     Marshall Field's          165        (8.5)           (7.3)        (3.5)
     Other                      59        32.9              na           na
     Total                   3,632        12.4             5.7         (0.1)

     Year-to-date
     Target                $20,858        10.7            2.8           4.8
     Mervyn's                1,835        (7.4)           (7.8)        (3.2)
     Marshall Field's        1,260        (5.2)           (4.2)        (2.5)
     Other                     304        41.2             na            na
     Total                  24,257         8.5            1.4           3.5