TOMS TAKES AIM: Target has teamed up with feel-good footwear brand Toms for a limited-time collection, Toms for Target, launching in time for the holidays. Toms matches every pair of shoes sold with a pair donated to a child in need. Toms calls the program One for One.
The partnership was revealed by Blake Mycoskie, Toms founder, and Kathee Tesija, executive vice president and chief merchandising and supply-chain officer at Target, at the company’s annual meeting, attended by nearly 14,000 employees, in Minneapolis.
Target will participate in the charitable component. For every Toms for Target apparel, accessory and home-goods purchase, a donation of a blanket will be made through the American Red Cross or Canadian Red Cross or one week of meals through Feeding America or Food Banks Canada. For every Toms for Target pair of shoes sold, a pair will go to a child in need. Target said it has the potential to provide more than 11 million meals, blankets and shoes to the underprivileged.
The collection consists of more than 50 items, each priced under $50. The line will be available at all Target stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as target.com on Nov. 16. In addition to the popular Toms slip-ons, the collection includes home goods such as candles and picture frames, and apparel such as sweaters, hoodies, fringed ponchos, hats, scarves, denim shirts, T-shirts and bracelets, all with the rustic charm of arrows, faded stripes and worn demin.