Target acquires Smith & Hawken brand

Minneapolis-based Target today acquired the Smith & Hawken brand and other intellectual property from Smith & Hawken, Ltd, a subsidiary of the Scotts Co., effective Dec. 30.

“We’re thrilled to own such an admired and iconic brand,” said Kathee Tesija, executive VP merchandising at Target. “We believe the Smith & Hawken brand complements our existing portfolio of owned brands and provides our guests with another compelling reason to shop Target.”

In 2008, Marysville, Ohio-based Scotts brought in former Home Depot executive Pat Farrah to manage the retail division back into profitability. Despite aggressive cuts in stores and staffing, the 56-unit Smith & Hawken retail chain went into liquidation last July.

Scotts, better known for fertilizers and pesticides than teak benches and English gardening shears, paid $72 million (including $14 million in debt) for Smith & Hawken in 2004. In the ensuing years, Scotts tried to boost revenues by broadening the brand’s merchandise and inking deals with True Value and Target, among other initiatives. Target has sold Smith & Hawken-branded lawn-and-garden products since 2006.

Terms of the deal were not revealed.