How to Get Your Product Into Target: Setup, Costs, Timeline

Getting into Target isn’t just a win — it’s a turning point.

It’s scale, legitimacy, and nationwide exposure. But Target doesn’t make it easy. Shelf space is limited. Requirements are strict. Most brands never make it past the first review.

This guide walks you through how to actually make it, not just apply.

We’ll walk you through the systems, the pitch, the requirements, the hidden costs, and the timeline—so you can go in prepared, not guessing.

P.S. If you want to get into Target without the risk and hassle of doing everything yourself, schedule a free strategy call with us. We handle everything from retail setup to accounting, managing 3PLs and your entire supply chain, leaving you to finally focus on marketing and sales.

1. How Target Works (So You Don’t Waste Time)

Most brands make the mistake of treating Target like a giant version of Amazon or their Shopify store.

It’s not. 

Target has a tightly controlled buying process, a structured supply chain, and very little room for improvisation. If you don’t understand how the system works, you’ll pitch the wrong person, at the wrong time, with the wrong setup—and get ignored.

Let’s break it down.

Three Ways to Sell Through Target

There are three ways products are sold through Target:

• In-Store (brick-and-mortar): The classic goal. Your product is physically stocked in Target stores, either regionally or nationally.
• Online (Target.com): This can mean two things. You’re either a vendor selling to Target and they fulfill orders from their warehouses, or…
• Target Plus (3rd-party marketplace): You sell directly to customers through Target.com—but only if you’re invited. This isn’t open like Amazon Marketplace. It’s handpicked.

Most brands won’t get into Target Plus unless they’re already succeeding elsewhere. Your path will almost always start as a 1P vendor—you sell wholesale to Target, and they sell to customers through stores or online.

So forget about “listing” your product like you would on Amazon. You don’t list. You pitch. And you wait to be selected.

Who Decides What Gets In?

Target’s internal buying team is divided into categories—snacks, skincare, pet toys, storage bins, etc. Each one has a Category Manager (aka buyer) who decides what gets added or dropped. These buyers aren’t just skimming submissions—they’re planning assortments, setting margins, and hitting performance goals.

Your first contact with them usually comes through Target’s online supplier intake form (we’ll get to that later). But what happens next depends on timing.

Target holds line reviews, where the buyer evaluates all current and potential products in that category. These happen on fixed seasonal cycles, and if you miss the window, you may not hear anything—even if they like your product. You might get silence not because you failed, but because they’re not reviewing your type of product again for another six months.

Translation: Patience matters. So does your timing.

What Tech You’ll Need to Use (And Why It Matters Early)

Target doesn’t just want to know that your product looks good on a shelf. They want to know that your systems plug into theirs.

The two critical tools:

• Partners Online: Target’s internal vendor portal where you’ll manage item setup, purchase orders, fulfillment, and invoices.
• EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): Target’s required language for sending and receiving data—orders, invoices, shipping confirmations. EDI is typically set up and automated, but requires an ERP system.

Bonus: Read our EDI integration guide for Target.
New to ERP? Read our ERP guide.

Being EDI-compliant isn’t optional. If you can’t receive a Target 850 (purchase order), generate an accurate 856 (advance ship notice), and invoice via EDI, your application won’t go far. This is where most early-stage brands get disqualified—no systems, no chance.

Also required: Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Target doesn’t cut checks. If you can’t accept payment electronically, you’re out.

Summary

To get into Target, you need to understand how they function internally:

• Target Plus is not your starting point.
• 1P vendor is your likely entry path.
• Buyers are organized by category and operate around line review cycles.
• EDI and EFT are mandatory. No exceptions.

Before you even begin the pitch, make sure you understand this ecosystem. The brands that fail often have great products—but no clue how to fit into Target’s infrastructure. That alone can kill your shot.

2. Are You Ready for Target?

Before you even think about filling out Target’s supplier application, stop and ask the hard question:

Is your business ready to survive what happens if they say yes?

Getting into Target isn’t just about having a great product. It’s about operational maturity. If you can’t deliver thousands of units on time, comply with strict retail standards, and plug into Target’s backend systems, it won’t matter how cool your product is. You won’t last.

Start With Brutal Honesty: Product, Pricing, and Demand

Target isn’t looking to take a risk on untested products. They want signs that your product already sells — and that it appeals to their core audience: trend-conscious families, millennial shoppers, and value-driven buyers.

Ask yourself:

• Are people already buying this product?
• Does it hit a trend or solve a clear problem?
• Does the branding feel premium but accessible — something that would fit naturally on a Target shelf?

If you’re not sure, look at your existing traction:

• Strong DTC or Amazon sales? Good.
• Boutique stores reordering? Better.
• Viral TikToks, national press mentions, or influencers talking about you? That moves the needle.

Target’s application even asks for your social media accounts. They want to see evidence of existing demand.

Understand Retail Math

Can your margins survive wholesale?

Target typically marks up products by 50–60%. That means if your retail price is $20, they’ll expect to buy it from you for $8–10. Out of that, you need to cover:

• Cost of goods
• Packaging
• Freight
• Marketing (if you offer co-op promos)
• Any chargebacks or compliance penalties

If your margins don’t leave room for that, fix your pricing or your production costs before you apply. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a fast exit.

Operational Capacity: Can You Scale Overnight?

Target may start you in a few hundred stores, but if your product takes off, they’ll want inventory fast. You need to be ready to scale from 500 units a month to 50,000 — and not fall apart in the process.

What that means:

• You can consistently produce at scale
• You can warehouse and ship pallets, not just mailers
• You can hit 95%+ fill rates and ship on time, every time
• You’ve mapped out logistics — whether that’s your own facility or a reliable 3PL
• You know how to label cartons, build pallets, and follow routing guides

Target’s not going to teach you how to do this. If you’re unsure whether you can handle a truckload order, you’re not ready yet.

Compliance Isn’t Optional

You’ll need:

• GS1 UPCs for every SKU (no third-party barcode vendors)
• Product liability insurance — usually $2M+ in general liability, with Target named as additional insured
• EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) capability — to receive POs, send invoices, and confirm shipments
• EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) — no paper checks
• Certifications — FDA registration, CPSIA safety tests, organic, cruelty-free, etc., depending on your category

You also need to align with Target’s broader goals. If your product supports sustainability (e.g. recyclable packaging, low-waste supply chain) or you’re a certified diverse-owned business, those are strong differentiators. Target is actively trying to increase its roster of diverse and ethical suppliers.

The Admin Stack: Don’t Miss the Basics

You’d be shocked how many brands miss out on big retail deals over small technicalities. Before you apply, get your business admin in order:

• Form a U.S. legal entity (LLC, C-corp, etc.) — Target will require your legal business name and tax ID
• Get an EIN from the IRS
• Register with Dun & Bradstreet to get a DUNS number (not strictly required, but often useful)
• Have a clean, professional website and active social profiles
• Prepare a W-9 and keep digital copies of insurance certs, testing reports, and compliance docs ready

Your Packaging Matters More Than You Think

Target doesn’t just look at the product. They look at the box, the label, the peg hook, and the way it fits into their shelf planograms.

Packaging must be:

• Retail-durable (can it survive being jostled on a shelf?)
• Fully labeled (weight, volume, warnings, barcode, etc.)
• Right-sized (will it fit on a standard shelf or endcap?)
• Professionally photographed (Target will eventually require high-res images for listings and line reviews)

If your packaging was built for online customers, not store shelves, now’s the time to upgrade it. One bad barcode or missing label can trigger costly chargebacks or rejected shipments.

The Goal: No Red Flags

When you apply to Target, they’re going to be asking:

• Does this brand already have traction?
• Are the unit economics viable for big-box retail?
• Can they scale production and ship to our DCs reliably?
• Do they understand retail compliance?
• Will they be easy to onboard?

Your job is to eliminate friction at every one of those steps.

If you’re not there yet — that’s okay. This section wasn’t meant to scare you off. It’s to show you where the bar is.

The difference between a rejected pitch and a successful one often comes down to this prep work. Do it now. Because when a buyer finally does reply with “Let’s talk,” you’ll want to be able to say: “We’re ready.”

3. Build a Pitch That Gets a Response

Buyers at Target aren’t browsing pitches like product catalogs. They’re managing multi-million-dollar categories, reviewing hundreds of submissions, and answering to sales targets. If your pitch doesn’t speak directly to how your product fits and performs in that context, it gets skipped.

Here’s how to structure your pitch so it doesn’t.

Skip the Story. Lead with the Data.

Your founder story doesn’t matter unless it directly supports sell-through. Target doesn’t buy background — they buy performance.

Your one-page sell sheet should answer these, visually and fast:

• What is it? One image, clearly showing the product and packaging.
• What does it do? One line that frames the value. “Reusable cleaning cloth that outperforms paper towels by 3x.”
• Who’s already buying it? Proof of demand — DTC numbers, Amazon sales, current retail placements, reorder rates.
• How fast is it moving? “Top 10 in category on Amazon” or “8 units per store per week across 40 locations.”
• At what margin? MSRP + your wholesale price. Don’t dodge this. Target wants to know you understand the math.
• How does it compare? Don’t bash competitors — but do show where yours fits. “Mid-tier pricing, high repeat rate, clean label.”

Put this into one tight page. If your product deserves shelf space, that’s enough to get a buyer curious.

Your Deck Should Answer Only One Question: Why You, Why Now?

If you’re going to send more than a one-pager, make it count. A short pitch deck or line sheet catalog should expand only on two things:

1. Assortment potential: What else can you offer? Do you have a line of flavors, sizes, variants that fit a shelf set?
2. Support potential: Will you help it sell?

This doesn’t mean a brand mission statement. It means:

• “We’ll run targeted ads to drive launch sell-through.”
• “We have 50,000 email subscribers and plan to drive them to Target stores.”
• “We’re offering Target-exclusive packaging for their sustainability initiative.”

Think like a category manager. Would adding this product give them an edge over competitors, increase sales per square foot, or fill a gap in their lineup?

If the answer is no, revise your pitch until it is.

Packaging That Proves You’re Ready

Target can’t afford to coach you on how to ship to retail. If your product’s packaging doesn’t already meet big-box standards, they’ll assume the rest of your business doesn’t either.

Include in your pitch:

• A photo of the actual unit in packaging — not a render.
• A case pack photo, if possible — including barcoded carton.
• Shelf dimensions and weight — show you’ve measured.
• Certifications on the label (USDA Organic, Non-GMO, etc.), if applicable.

If your packaging is still geared for e-commerce (mailer-friendly, oversized, or missing retail-required labeling), fix it before pitching. Otherwise, you’ll have to do it later.

Prove There’s Demand You Didn’t Have to Pay For

What buyers really want to see is pull — demand that happens without you constantly pushing it with ads.

Don’t just tell them it sells. Show them:

• Reorder rates from other retailers
• Subscription data from your own site
• Organic traffic or SEO growth
• TikTok/Instagram engagement that isn’t bought
• Press hits that happened without a PR agency

Buyers are trained to filter noise. If you show actual velocity and resonance, they’ll know the product has a shot.

Format and Follow-Up

When you submit to Target’s intake portal (or email a buyer directly), keep it clean:

• PDF format, not PowerPoint or Google Docs
• Filename: [BrandName_Product_Overview.pdf]
• Include a direct link to your site, and any relevant retail press kit or product catalog

Don’t follow up every week. If you’re going to nudge, wait until you have something real to say — a new retail win, 10x growth in velocity, a feature in Good Morning America.

Until then, let the pitch stand on its own.

4. Submit Your Application

You’ve got the product. You’ve got the pitch. Now it’s time to make it official.

Target’s main entry point for new suppliers is through their online intake form — not cold emails, not buyer DMs. That form is where most successful vendor relationships start. But most brands treat it like a casual inquiry. It’s not. It’s your one shot to make a clean, credible first impression — and a sloppy submission will quietly kill your chances.

Here’s how to do it right.

Where to Apply (And Which Doors Are Actually Open)

Go to Target’s official supplier intake page. You’ll be asked how you describe your business. If you’re trying to sell your product to Target, you’ll choose:

“Company that wants to sell goods directly to Target”

This routes you to what Target calls their Supplier Intake Form — this is the standard entry point for consumer brands that want to be stocked in Target stores or sold through Target.com (as a 1P vendor).

You’ll also see other options (e.g. companies that provide services to Target, or sell via Target stores as a brand). Ignore those unless you’re in a different business model.

Next you’ll submit your product, business details, and supporting materials.

What You’ll Need to Submit (Backed by Real Expectations)

Once you’re routed to the form, Target gives you a heads-up: 

The form takes approximately 30 minutes, and it’ll save your progress if you need to return.

Here’s what you’ll want on hand before starting:

1. Your EIN and DUNS number
2. Your most recent tax return
3. Product certifications (FDA, CPSIA, Organic, etc.)
4. Current retail account list and sales velocity
5. P&L statements from the past year
6. Details on any partner companies (like co-manufacturers or 3PLs)

If you don’t have these, don’t rush the submission. This isn’t a form you fill out just to “see what happens.” It’s a full vendor intake designed to vet whether you can handle being part of a national retail supply chain.

Here’s what Target asks for:

• Basic company info (name, legal entity, tax ID, contact details)
• Business structure (manufacturer, distributor, etc.)
• Up to 5 products with:
  • Name + category
  • Product description (750 characters max — no fluff, just the hook)
  • Country of origin
  • Product images
  • MSRP and wholesale price (optional but highly recommended)
• Readiness questions like:
  • Do you use GS1 barcodes?
  • Do you support EDI and EFT?
  • Where else is the product sold?
  • What’s your annual or projected revenue?
• Links to your website and social media

Answer truthfully. Target’s team will look you up. If you say you’re EDI-ready and can’t send an 856 ASN when asked, you’ll get dropped.

How to Upload Your Pitch Materials

At the end of the application, you’ll have the chance to upload supporting materials. This is where most applicants underdeliver.

Upload the right file, not five of them. One, clean, high-quality PDF.

Use this filename format:

✅ [BrandName_Product_Overview.pdf]

This should include:

• 1 high-res image of your product in packaging
• 1-line value prop
• Key sales data and traction points
• Retail pricing (MSRP + wholesale)
• Packaging dimensions (optional, but a plus)
• Your logo, contact info, and web/social links

No fluff. No full catalog. No press releases. You’re not trying to impress — you’re trying to get to the next conversation.

What Happens After You Submit?

Usually, nothing - at least not right away.

Target doesn’t send confirmation emails. There’s no dashboard to check your status. And there’s no guarantee you’ll hear back.

They review submissions internally, often in batches tied to category reset cycles. That means you might wait 30, 60, even 90+ days before hearing anything — if they’re interested.

If they are, a category buyer or assistant merchant will reach out. They might ask for samples. Or they might go dark again until a line review is underway.

This is normal.

Don’t panic. Don’t spam them. Don’t reapply with the same info.

Instead, use the quiet period to improve your traction. If you hit a big milestone — new retail account, press coverage, a surge in sales — then it’s worth sending a concise update or reapplying with a stronger story.

But unless there are significant changes, don’t resubmit. One strong application beats five desperate ones.

5. Don’t Chase the Buyer (Find the Right Sales Rep)

Submitting through Target’s intake form is the right first move. Trying to track down a buyer on LinkedIn afterward? Usually not worth it.

Target buyers aren’t ignoring you out of malice - they’re overwhelmed (and answering your messages outside the official approach defeats the purpose). Hundreds of pitches hit their inbox every month. Unless yours shows up through a trusted channel, it may never be seen.

That’s why smart brands don’t chase cold outreach. They go in through someone who already has the buyer’s attention, such as a category-aligned sales representative or broker.

What a Good Rep Actually Does

A real rep doesn’t just introduce your product. They manage the entire relationship:

• Present your line to the right Target buyer
• Know when line reviews are scheduled and how to time the pitch
• Help you prep a cleaner, more buyer-relevant pitch
• Negotiate early terms on your behalf
• Manage follow-ups without you chasing people down

In most cases, they’re paid a commission on orders placed, not a retainer. That means they only make money when you do, which gives them skin in the game.

But finding the right rep matters more than just finding a rep.

Vetting a Rep the Right Way

Target is a relationship-driven organization, and not every rep has reach inside your category. Some are deep in food and CPG. Others focus on hard goods or seasonal lines.

Here’s what to ask before you commit:

• Have you placed a product in [my category] at Target in the past 12–18 months?
• Who’s the buyer or team you typically work with?
• Will you help manage compliance (EDI, item setup, vendor onboarding)?

If they can’t answer confidently — or don’t know the category cycles — keep looking.

Where CrossBridge Comes In

If you’re not sure where to start — or if the rep you’re speaking to seems too general — we can help.

At CrossBridge, we’ve worked with product-based businesses entering Target in multiple categories. Depending on your product type, we can:

• Introduce you to a vetted rep who already works with Target’s buyer for your category
• Pitch your product directly through our internal retail channels (if it aligns with current retail cycles)
• Manage the full backend once you’re accepted, including:
  • EDI setup and compliance
  • Vendor onboarding
  • Order flow, labeling, freight coordination
  • Ongoing scorecard monitoring and issue resolution

We don’t just hand you a contact and wish you luck. We build and manage the infrastructure around the relationship so that Target has no reason to drop you once you’re in.

Want to talk about it? Schedule a quick strategy meeting with us.

Don’t Burn the Bridge Before You Build It

Sending cold emails to Target buyers with half-prepared documents and no understanding of line reviews can do more harm than good.

If you’re serious about getting in, get introduced the right way, by someone the buyer already trusts.

And if you want to skip the trial-and-error altogether, plug into a system that’s already working.

6. Timeline & Costs - What Insiders Know

There’s no universal Target timeline. Everything depends on when your product fits into your category’s review window, how ready your backend is, and whether your pitch arrives when the buyer is actually looking.

If you apply at the wrong time, you could wait 6–12 months for an answer, even if your product is excellent. If you hit the window right and you’re retail-ready, you can move in under 5 months.

Let’s break this down.

The Truth About Target’s Buying Calendar

Target doesn’t accept products year-round on a rolling basis. Every category follows its own internal line review cycle — usually one or two times a year.

Category Type	Typical Review Cycle
Everyday CPG, Beauty	Twice per year
Toys, School Supplies	Seasonal (early spring + summer)
Apparel, Home Goods	Quarterly or seasonal
Electronics, Appliances	Annual or slower

These reviews are when buyers decide what to add, cut, or refresh. If you miss the cycle, your submission might sit untouched for months.

Smart move: Submit 60–90 days before your category’s review window. That gives the buyer time to vet your product, request samples, and consider it during their reset planning.

Not sure when your category resets? CrossBridge tracks these cycles and can tell you the exact window and how to time your pitch.

Keep in mind that this information is not publicly available by Target, so the above are estimates!

The Real Timeline (If You Hit the Cycle Cleanly)

If your submission lands at the right time and you’re operationally ready:

• Application to buyer contact: 4–6 weeks
• Sample and review: 2–4 weeks
• Vendor setup, item creation, and EDI testing: 4–6 weeks
• PO to shelf date: 2–3 months

Best-case total: ~4–6 monthsWorst-case (bad timing or not ready): 9–12+ months

And this assumes you can actually fulfill the order once it’s placed.

Costs That Hit You Whether You Plan or Not

There’s no “application fee” but the operational cost of doing retail at this level is very real.

Plan for:

• EDI setup + testing: $500–$3,000 upfront
• Freight & 3PL coordination: Varies by volume and location — $1,000+ per order is common
• Packaging upgrades: New print runs, labeling adjustments, barcode placements
• Chargebacks: Assume 5–10% of PO value could get hit in early shipments due to labeling errors, missed windows, ASN mismatches
• Marketing support: Some categories will expect co-op promotions or endcap displays
• Cash flow float: Target pays Net 60, often after delivery, minus 2% for early-pay discount

Sample Cost Breakdown (First PO)

Cost Area	Estimated Amount
Production + COGS	$6,000
Freight (to DC)	$1,200
EDI setup	$1,000
Packaging tweaks	$800
Chargebacks	$500 buffer
Total upfront	~$9,500–10,000

For a $50K PO, you may not see funds hit your account for 60+ days, and they might arrive at $48,000 or less after discounts and penalties.

What CrossBridge Does Here

If you’re not sure when your category resets, we’ll find out.If you’re not sure what costs apply, we’ll break them down.If you don’t want to build your own EDI, 3PL coordination, or compliance infrastructure, we already have it ready.

We manage:

• EDI setup + testing
• Vendor portal onboarding
• DC delivery coordination
• Packaging spec checks
• Compliance + chargeback prevention
• Cash flow modeling and forecasting

Basically, everything a company needs to do internally to fulfill orders.

So you don’t just get the PO — you fulfill it cleanly and stay on the shelf.

7. Got the PO? Or Got Ignored? Here’s What Happens Next

If You’re Approved: Execution > Celebration

Getting the PO isn’t the finish line. It’s the start of compliance, logistics, and constant pressure to deliver.

Here’s what you’re now responsible for:

• EDI Execution: You’ll need to receive POs (850), send advance ship notices (856), and invoice (810) perfectly. One mismatch can trigger a deduction or delay payment.
• Logistics to DCs: You’ll ship to Target’s regional distribution centers, following strict routing and packaging guides. Miss a delivery window or send bad labels? Expect fines.
• On-Time, In-Full (OTIF): Target tracks every shipment. Fill rate must hit 95%+, and ASN must match exactly. You’ll be scored.
• Sell-Through Pressure: Target gives new products a short leash. If it doesn’t sell fast enough, they’ll stop reordering. You may need to run a price promo or drive traffic to stores.

Want to focus on marketing while someone else runs the backend? That’s exactly what CrossBridge handles — from EDI and DC coordination to vendor scorecard monitoring and compliance.

If You’re Rejected: Don’t Waste the Learning

If you never hear back, or get a “not now,” it’s not the end — but it is feedback.

Common reasons buyers pass:

• Poor fit for their current assortmen
• Weak margins or retail pricing
• No proof of demand or sell-through velocity
• Operational red flags (no EDI, uncertain fulfillment)

Don’t reapply with the same pitch.

Wait until you’ve improved something meaningful: new packaging, retail velocity, major PR hit, lower cost of goods. Then re-submit or have a rep reintroduce it on your behalf.

And if you’re not sure what needs to change, we’ll audit your previous submission and help tighten the story before you re-engage.

8. FAQ

“Can I apply if I don’t have a U.S. company?”

Technically yes. But it complicates everything — from tax ID to banking to EDI compliance. Target requires EFT payments to a U.S. bank and expects fast, domestic fulfillment.

If you’re international, your best path is to set up a U.S. entity (LLC or Inc.), or work with a U.S.-based distributor or operational partner. That’s exactly the role CrossBridge plays — we become your U.S. backend so you can operate cleanly from day one.

“My product is made overseas. Is that a problem?”

Not at all — Target sources globally. What matters is:

• That your factory meets U.S. safety and ethical sourcing standards
• That you can ship inventory into the U.S. in time
• That you manage customs, duties, and last-mile delivery to Target’s distribution centers

You may need a U.S. 3PL warehouse to store product stateside for restocking. Many overseas vendors use CrossBridge to coordinate this piece.

“How do I get UPCs that Target will accept?”

Only from GS1. Target requires GS1-certified UPCs — not cheap third-party codes that show someone else’s brand when scanned.

Go to gs1us.org, register your company, and generate GTINs/UPCs for every SKU. Plan ahead — it takes a week or two to set up and assign codes properly.

“What if I can’t fulfill a massive order right away?”

You’re allowed to say no — just say it clearly.

Target may ask, “Can you ship nationwide?” If not, propose a phased launch:

“Let’s start with 250 stores. Our current capacity supports 10,000 units/month, and we can scale up in Q2.”

What they don’t want is a missed commitment. If you say yes to 1,800 stores and fail to deliver, you won’t get another chance.

“I applied before and didn’t hear back. Can I reapply?”

Yes. There’s no rule against it — but only do it when you’ve materially improved something.

Examples:

• You’ve added major retail accounts
• You’ve grown your DTC revenue or subscriber base
• Your packaging now includes retail-ready upgrades
• You’ve completed EDI setup or hired operational support
• You’ve secured a rep with a direct line to Target buyers

When you do reapply, mention what’s changed.

“Since our last application, we’ve expanded to 100 stores and doubled sell-through velocity. We’d love for you to take another look.”

Buyers respect improvement. Just don’t send the same pitch twice.

“Can’t I just sell through Target Plus instead?”

Probably not. Target Plus is invite-only. It’s a small, curated third-party marketplace — unlike Amazon or Walmart Marketplace.

The only real way in is through performance: if your product builds enough outside traction, a buyer or marketplace lead might reach out.

Until then, your path is as a 1P wholesale vendor — supplying Target directly.

“What happens if I mess up? Will they cut me off?”

Yes — if you mess up repeatedly. One bad shipment won’t ruin you. But:

• Late shipments
• ASN mismatches
• Inconsistent fill rates
• Constant chargebacks
• Radio silence when they flag issues

That will kill the relationship over time. Target tracks everything via your vendor scorecard. Keep it green. Fix issues fast. And if you need help staying on top of the details, delegate it to someone who knows the system.

9. Need a Partner That’s Done This Before?

Getting into Target is one thing.

Delivering clean orders, avoiding chargebacks, and scaling up without breaking things — that’s where most brands stumble.

At CrossBridge, we don’t just help you submit an application.

We run the backend that makes your Target launch actually work — from pitch to PO to long-term supply chain execution.

We handle:

• Application prep, retail positioning, and rep introductions
• EDI setup, testing, and real-time monitoring
• ERP systems already configured to Target’s compliance requirements
• Inventory coordination, warehouse management, and DC fulfillment
• U.S. entity setup, accounting, and liability insurance
• Chargeback prevention and vendor scorecard tracking

Most of our clients don’t start with perfect systems — they plug into ours.

That means no scrambling. No guesswork. No risking the relationship because of an avoidable error.

If you’re ready to expand into Target, or want to pressure-test if you’re truly ready, schedule a strategy call.

We’ll walk you through the cleanest path from where you are now to where you need to be.