Core Viewpoint - As consumers seek better value, discount retailers are experiencing improved traffic and sales, indicating a potential shift in consumer behavior that may present buying opportunities for investors in the retail sector Group 1: Target - Target's shares have declined approximately 61% from their peak in 2021 due to issues like inventory loss from theft and weak same-store sales [3] - Despite challenges, Target generated over $4 billion in net profit on $105 billion of revenue in the last year, maintaining its status as a leading discount retailer [3] - The company raised its quarterly dividend by 1.8%, marking 54 consecutive years of increases, and has the capacity to continue this trend as it pays out less than half of its trailing-12-month earnings [4] - Target's digital business is thriving, with same-day delivery services growing by 35% last quarter, and management is optimistic about mitigating inventory issues [4][5] - Full-year adjusted earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be between $7 to $9, which is sufficient to cover the dividend [5] - The stock may be nearing a bottom with a forward dividend yield of 4.38% and a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14, indicating potential for recovery [6] Group 2: TJX Companies - TJX Companies benefits from consumers seeking value through its off-price merchandise strategy, with successful brands like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls [7] - A $10,000 investment in TJX in 2005 would be worth $279,000 today, highlighting the stock's strong growth potential [7] - The company excels in sourcing quality merchandise at significant discounts, supported by a robust global sourcing channel [8] - TJX has consistently achieved quarterly sales growth over the last 25 years, with the only major decline occurring during the pandemic in 2020 [9] - The company's talent development program promotes internal management, fostering consistent long-term performance [11] - Although the stock is not cheap, management sees strong opportunities for merchandise acquisition and market share growth in the off-price sector [11]