Target Plus: How to Use It for Your Business

Target is no longer just a retailer – it’s a platform.

With the rise of curated online marketplaces, Target Plus (also known as Target+) is opening its virtual doors to select third-party sellers. You’re in the right place if you’ve ever wondered what Target Plus is and whether your business could benefit from it. Unlike Amazon’s open marketplace, Target Plus is invite-only, offering exclusivity, high visibility, and a more trusted shopping experience for sellers and customers.

In this blog, we’ll break down what makes Target Plus unique, how it works, and how your brand can leverage this premium platform to expand reach, boost product visibility, and grow in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape.

What Is Target Plus and How Does It Work?

Target Plus (also stylized as Target+) is Target’s invite-only online marketplace. It allows approved third-party sellers to list and sell their products directly on Target.com. Unlike open marketplaces like Amazon or Walmart Marketplace, Target Plus is curated, meaning brands must be selected by Target to join, ensuring a consistent, trusted shopping experience for customers.

Launched in 2019, Target Plus was built to expand Target’s online assortment without sacrificing product quality or brand alignment. According to Retail Dive, Target+ sellers benefit from increased visibility and credibility through Target’s platform, with the retailer reporting over 240 million monthly visits to its website in recent years.

Here’s how Target Plus works:

• Brands are invited to join or can request consideration via Target’s online form
• Approved sellers list products within specific categories (e.g., home, baby, apparel)
• Target handles checkout, payment processing, and customer service policies
• Sellers are responsible for inventory, shipping, and returns, under Target’s standards
• Products appear alongside Target-owned listings, giving them a built-in trust factor

The Benefits of Selling on Target’s Curated Marketplace

Being accepted into Target Plus isn’t just an endorsement – it’s a growth opportunity. Because the platform is highly selective, sellers benefit from both Target’s credibility and its massive digital reach. This makes it easier to stand out in a less crowded environment than open marketplaces like Amazon.

Here’s why joining Target Plus can be a strategic win for your brand:

• Association with one of the most trusted retail names in the U.S.
• Reduced competition due to Target’s invite-only marketplace model
• Higher product visibility thanks to featured placements on Target.com
• Access to over 240 million monthly visits on Target’s digital platforms
• Less pressure on fulfillment, with Target offering marketing and policy support
• Increased conversion rates due to elevated trust and site reputation

Boosting Brand Exposure Through Target’s Retail Partnership

Partnering with Target through its Plus program helps elevate your brand beyond basic visibility – it positions your products beside national household names. The trust Target has built with its customers spills over to your listings, giving newer or niche brands an instant boost in credibility.

Here’s how Target’s retail environment helps you stand out:

• Your products appear in curated collections alongside Target’s own inventory
• Placement in promotional campaigns and seasonal features
• Branding opportunities within high-traffic categories
• Built-in customer loyalty from Target’s repeat shoppers
• Integration into a retail ecosystem that spans in-store and digital

Reaching More Customers With Target’s Platform

Selling on Target Plus means tapping into one of the U.S.’s most engaged retail audiences. With an established online presence and consistent foot traffic, Target allows third-party sellers to access demographics that may otherwise be hard to reach, especially families, suburban shoppers, and brand-loyal consumers.

Here’s how the platform helps broaden your reach:

• Products appear in organic search results across Target.com
• Enhanced discoverability through category pages and recommendations
• Access to Target’s marketing machine: email campaigns, homepage promotions, and more
• Opportunity to scale faster without relying solely on your own channels

Optimizing Product Listings for Maximum Visibility

Joining Target Plus is just the beginning – success comes from how well your product listings are optimized. Every element influences how easily customers can find and trust your products, from titles and descriptions to images and keywords. Like any e-commerce platform, Target’s marketplace rewards clear, relevant, and well-structured listings.

According to Shopify’s product SEO guide, optimizing product content improves search visibility within a platform and increases the chances of being indexed by external search engines like Google. This is especially important on Target Plus, where competition for digital shelf space is curated but still strategic.

Here are the most important listing elements and how they affect visibility:

Listing Element	What It Does	SEO / Visibility Impact
Product Title	Appears in search results and listings	Must include primary keywords and be clear, concise
Product Description	Describes features, benefits, and usage	Supports keyword richness and relevance
Bullet Points	Highlights quick-scan product benefits	Improves readability and mobile-friendliness
Product Images	Visual representation of the item	High-quality, zoomable images improve click-through
Category Selection	Helps Target index the product correctly	Impacts where and when your product appears in search
Backend Keywords	Hidden terms entered for search indexing	Enhances discoverability without affecting copy

How Target Plus Compares to Other Online Marketplaces

Target Plus offers a distinctly different experience compared to large, open marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart. While those platforms focus on scale and accessibility, Target+ is all about curation, quality, and trust. It’s not about having the most sellers but showcasing the most aligned and brand-ready ones.

This invite-only model means less clutter, more visibility, and better brand alignment for those selected. Target handles platform consistency with care, giving your brand a more premium placement than it might receive in marketplaces driven by competition and volume.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Target Plus vs. other popular marketplaces:

Marketplace	Seller Access	Product Curation	Fees & Commission	Brand Trust & Control
Target Plus	Invite-only	High (curated partners)	Competitive, case-by-case	Strong branding & minimal crowding
Amazon	Open to all (FBA/FMF)	Low (high saturation)	Referral + fulfillment fees	Highly competitive, less control
Walmart Marketplace	Application-based	Moderate	Standard commission	Mid-level visibility & control
eBay	Open to all	Very low	Lower fees	Strong seller tools but less brand protection

Positioning Your Business for Long-Term E-Commerce Success

Getting listed on Target Plus is an achievement – but maintaining momentum requires smart, sustainable strategy. The key lies in treating your Target Plus presence like a digital flagship: optimized listings, consistent inventory, proactive customer support, and standout branding.

Here’s how to stay ahead and grow with Target Plus:

• Keep listings fresh and seasonally relevant to stay visible in curated collections
• Monitor reviews and respond quickly to enhance trust and retention
• Align promotions with Target’s retail calendar to take advantage of peak shopping periods
• Continue strengthening your brand outside the platform to drive organic discovery
• Use performance data to refine products, messaging, and keyword focus

Grow With Confidence With BloomHouse Marketing

Selling on a premium platform like Target Plus is a powerful way to scale your business, but strategy matters. At BloomHouse Marketing, we help brands break through the noise with smart product positioning, optimized listings, and a digital growth plan tailored for curated marketplaces. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.

Let’s grow together. Contact BloomHouse Marketing to unlock the full potential of your e-commerce strategy with expert help.

FAQs

What is Target Plus, and how does it enhance brand exposure for third-party sellers in the online marketplace?

Target Plus is Target’s curated online marketplace for select third-party sellers. It boosts brand exposure by placing your products alongside Target’s own, giving your business instant credibility and access to a trusted customer base.

How does joining Target Plus compare to other online marketplaces in terms of customer reach and e-commerce success?

Unlike open platforms like Amazon, Target Plus offers a less saturated, invite-only environment with higher visibility. Sellers benefit from Target’s loyal audience, streamlined marketplace structure, and brand-safe presentation.

What are the benefits of optimizing product listings on the Target platform for third-party sellers?

Optimized listings improve search visibility and conversion rates by aligning with Target’s algorithm and user expectations. Strong titles, images, and descriptions also build trust and increase discoverability.

How can third-party sellers leverage Target’s retail partnership to expand their customer reach?

By listing products on Target Plus, sellers gain access to millions of monthly site visitors and the halo effect of Target’s trusted branding. Strategic alignment with Target’s marketing and seasonal campaigns can further amplify reach.

What steps should third-party sellers take to begin selling on Target Plus successfully?

Sellers must be invited or submit a request through Target’s seller inquiry page. Once approved, optimizing listings, meeting Target’s fulfillment standards, and consistently delivering high-quality customer experiences are crucial.