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Rick Gomez, the 23-year Target veteran who oversees a the
chains' vast inventory of merchandise, will leave the company
and Jill Sando, the chief merchandising officer overseeing a
handful of categories like apparel and home and who has been
with the company since 1997, will retire.
Lisa Roath, who oversaw food, essentials and cosmetics, will
take Fiddelke's previous job as chief operating officer, the
company said Tuesday. Cara Sylvester, who had been chief guest
experience officer, will become the company's chief
merchandising officer.
The changes will allow Target to move with greater speed,
Fiddelke said.
“It’s the start of a new chapter for Target, and we’re moving
quickly to take action against our priorities that will drive
growth within our business,” Fiddelke said in a release.
Gomez and Roath will remain with the company for a short time to
help with the transition, but the changes become effective
Sunday.
Also on Tuesday, the company reiterated it's profit guidance. It
is also increasing investement in store staffing at stores while
eliminating about 500 jobs at distribution centers and regional
offices, according to a memo sent to employees that Target
shared with The Associated Press.
It is the first substantial change under Fiddelke, a 20-year
company veteran who took over for Brian Cornell this month.
Target has struggled to find its footing as many Americans have
cut back on spending. Customers have also complained of
disheveled stores that are missing the budget-priced niche that
long ago earned the retailer the nickname “Tarzhay.”
The company has also been buffeted by consumer boycotts and
backlash after it scaled back its corporate diversity, equity
and inclusion initiatives.
It has also faced protests for what some critics see as an
insufficient response to President Donald Trump's aggressive
immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis, its hometown,
where two U.S. citizens where fatally shot last month by federal
agents.
Target has not commented publicly after federal agents detaining
two of its employees this month — although Fiddelke sent a video
message to the company’s 400,000 workers calling recent violence
“incredibly painful."
Fiddelke was one of 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies who
signed an open letter in January calling for state, local and
federal officials to find a solution after the fatal shootings.
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