Target confirmed speculation that it will begin selling Apple’s iPad. The company said it would start selling the device on Oct. 3. The iPad will be available in 1,743 Target stores across the U.S. and will carry the 16GB Wi-Fi model, the 32GB and 64GB Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi+3G models. The stores will also be equipped with a selection of accessories including cases, iBook and iTunes gift cards, chargers and other items.

“Target is very excited to offer the revolutionary iPad to our guests nationwide,” said Mark Schindele, senior vice president, merchandising, Target. “We are committed to providing our guests with the best products and we think iPad will be at the top of our guests’ holiday shopping lists.”

The iPad certainly seems to be high on a lot of people’s shopping list. In the first quarter it was available Apple shipped 3.27 million iPads and demand has shown no signs of letting up.

Last week, Piper Jaffray Senior Research Analyst Gene Munster raised his iPad sales estimates for 2011 from 14.5 million to 21 million units. Munster said at the time that he expected the iPad to be available at Target by the end of the year.