MINNEAPOLIS — Target is expanding its lineup of exclusive brand collaborations and owned-brand merchandise for the 2026 back-to-school and back-to-college shopping season, betting that trend-focused assortments and value pricing will help reinforce its position as a destination for students and families.
The retailer said more than half of its seasonal assortment is new this year, with thousands of exclusive products spanning apparel, school supplies, dorm décor and accessories. The merchandising strategy features an expanded roster of brand partnerships alongside new offerings from Target's private-label portfolio.
"Back-to-school and back-to-college are big moments for families and at Target we believe shopping for them should be inspiring and joyful – an opportunity for delight as you find everything you need," said Cara Sylvester, Target's executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. "So we've put together an assortment with more trend-forward style, great design and unrivaled value than ever before. It's distinctly Target."
Among the retailer's marquee launches is the limited-time LoveShackFancy x Target collection, which debuts July 5. Geared toward tweens and teens, the assortment includes apparel, accessories, beauty products and school supplies, with prices topping out below $55 and most items selling for less than $25. The collection also includes products featuring the brand's signature floral prints from partners including Yoobi, Wet Brush, Goody, Case-Mate and Wild.
Target is also expanding its exclusive collaboration with sports media brand Overtime, adding apparel to the collection for the first time alongside backpacks, lunch accessories and water bottles. The assortment became available online and in select stores June 14 and will roll out nationwide July 5.
Other seasonal collaborations include the debut of The Hollister Collection at Target on June 28, featuring apparel, accessories and Hollister-branded home products such as bedding and dorm décor, with most items priced below $50. Beginning July 5, the retailer will also introduce an Owala x Cat & Jack collection of backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles and accessories, many priced between $3 and $25.
Target is also extending beverage brand Poppi into home furnishings through a limited-time, Target-exclusive dorm collection that includes robes, decorative pillows, throw blankets, Hydrojugs and mini refrigerators.
Alongside national brands, the retailer is expanding several owned brands for the season. Activewear label All in Motion is entering the school uniform category for the first time with styles starting at $15, while Threshold is making its dorm debut with décor priced primarily below $50. The up&up brand is introducing a pastel-themed school supplies collection starting at 69 cents, and Room Essentials is refreshing its dorm assortment with sheet sets starting at $10 and comforters from $20.
Children's apparel brand Cat & Jack is adding new prints and colors with prices beginning at $5, while value-focused Dealworthy will again offer school basics including $5 backpacks, $3 lunch bags and $2 bento boxes and water bottles.
To support the seasonal assortment, Target is pairing its merchandise strategy with promotional offers. Target Circle Deal Days, running through June 26, features discounts of up to 45% on school and college essentials. Verified teachers and college students who are members of the free Target Circle loyalty program will also receive 20% off one storewide purchase between July 5 and Sept. 12, along with more than 50% off an annual Target Circle 360 membership.
The retailer is also incorporating artificial intelligence into its shopping experience. AI-powered recommendations on Target.com and the Target app will help students and teachers build wish lists, identify overlooked essentials and discover additional products. In stores, Target said it is expanding personalization options and creating localized college gameday displays as part of its seasonal merchandising strategy.
The back-to-school assortment reflects Target's broader effort to strengthen its merchandising differentiation through exclusive products, owned brands and design-led offerings while maintaining a value message amid one of retail's most important seasonal selling periods.
