Target takes aim at Amazon with same-day shipping in New Jersey

Target is the latest retailer to take aim at Amazon by offering its own version of same-day delivery.

Over the next two weeks, Target stores in New Jersey will begin offering the delivery service Shipt. Target is promising free grocery and household goods deliveries in as little as one hour for customers who sign up with Shipt and pay a $99 annual membership fee.

Shipt is offering a discount to New Jersey customers who enroll before Aug. 9, letting them get a membership for $49 — half off the regular price. 

The annual membership fees gives customers unlimited free deliveries on orders of more than $35. Orders under $35 are charged a $7 delivery fee. 

Shipt members also get sale and discount offers from participating retailers.

Shipt delivery from Target stores in Atlantic City, East Brunswick, Toms River, Vineland and Mercer and Monmouth counties will begin Thursday.

Target stores in North Jersey, as well as in Jersey City, Edison and Newark, will offer the service beginning Aug. 2.

Electronics and toys are among the items Shipt workers will be able to deliver.

Target acquired Shipt Inc. in December for $550 million and said it planned to use the Shipt digital platform to speed up its adoption of same-day delivery.

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Shipt uses an app to let customers place their orders. Shoppers employed by Shipt then use the app to select groceries from a Target store and deliver the goods to the customer. 

Shipt plans to hire 400 new workers in New Jersey to fill orders. Applicants can apply online at Shipt.com. 

Shipt was founded in 2014 and uses a business model similar to that of the ride-sharing app Uber. Customers place orders and Shipt shoppers who are nearby fill the orders.

Shipt is a wholly owned subsidiary of Target and continues to run independently. It also provides same-day delivery services to other retailers. 

Target plans to offer same-day service in every major market in the country by the end of this year.