Target Plans to Separate Web Store From Amazon

Target is the second largest discount retailer in the United States...and now it's planning to break off ties with Amazon to launch its own Target.com in 2011.

Target is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States (second only to Wal-mart), and since 2001 it has partnered with Amazon.com to relaunch Target.com as an online store and ecommerce platform, leveraging Amazon’s technology and fulfillment capabilities to offer online shopping to its customers. Now, after a decade of partnership, Target has decided it wants to do e-commerce in its own again, announcing plans to launch its own Target.com platform in time for the 2011 holiday season.

"To deliver a customized multi-channel experience for Target’s guests, we believe it is in Target’s best interest going forward to assume full control over the design and management of Target’s e-commerce technology platform, fulfillment, and guest services operations," said Target president Steve Eastman, in a statement.

Target and Amazon recently extended their contract through 2011, and the two companies will continue to work together in the interim.