MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Target is preparing to jump into the same-day delivery market and battle online competitor and retail giant Amazon. The Minneapolis-based company Monday announced it will begin same-day delivery of groceries, essentials, home, electronics, toys and other products across the Twin Cities metro area March 1.

In December, Target acquired Shipt, an online, same-day delivery platform, for $550 million. The new partnership gives nearly 1.2 million households across the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro access to Target products delivered by Shipt in as little as one hour.

"Launching same-day delivery in the Twin Cities is a milestone for Shipt, and we are thrilled to show new members how Shipt can make their lives easier by delivering on our promise to offer quality products through the convenience of delivery," Bill Smith, founder and CEO of Shipt, said in a statement.