Target to test 'Express' location at U of M

Target will soon test its smallest store format ever, opening a mini Target near the University of Minnesota campus this July.

At 20,000 square feet, TargetExpress will be about 15 percent of the size of a typical Target store.

The retailer says the new store will help the company gain new insights about when, where and how customers want to be served. The shop will include health and beauty items, groceries, electronics, a pharmacy, grab-and-go food and University of Minnesota related clothing and other gear.

Target says it will evaluate the new format to determine if it should be expanded.

In recent years the retailer has opened eight somewhat downsized CityTarget stores in Chicago, Los Angeles and other markets. Those stores are just somewhat smaller than a standard Target store.

Walmart has several hundred neighborhood stores of less than 40,000 square feet and plans to open more.