by MINNEAPOLIS – Target began sending out layoff notices to 1,000 corporate employees on Tuesday, marking one of the retailer’s largest workforce reductions in nearly a decade.
The layoffs, first announced on October 23, are part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency and streamlining operations rather than cutting costs, according to an internal email shared with employees.
The decision affects corporate staff — primarily those working at Target’s Minneapolis headquarters and Northern Campus in Brooklyn Park — while in-store retail workers will not be impacted.
A company spokesperson told the Associated Press that the layoffs account for about 8% of Target’s global workforce, with another 800 open corporate positions eliminated as part of the restructuring.
Employees were asked to work remotely on Tuesday as they awaited official word on whether they were among those being let go.
Details in the WARN Notice
According to the Minnesota State Rapid Response Team, Target filed two Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letters detailing the corporate reductions:
- 528 employees will be cut from Target’s downtown Minneapolis headquarters.
- 287 employees will be laid off from the company’s Northern Campus in Brooklyn Park.
Those affected will continue receiving pay and benefits through January 3, and will also receive severance packages and job transition support.
A Decade Since Target’s Last Major Layoffs
This is Target’s first large-scale layoff since 2015, when it eliminated about 1,700 headquarters positions following the company’s failed Canadian expansion.
The new round of job cuts comes during a turbulent year for the retail giant. Target’s CEO Brian Cornell announced his resignation just two months ago, citing challenges including declining sales, reduced profits, and shareholder backlash over scaled-back DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives.
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Cornell will remain with the company until 2026, when Chief Operating Officer John Mulligan is expected to assume the CEO role.
Financial Struggles
Target’s most recent Q2 earnings report showed a 1.9% decline in comparable sales and a 21% drop in net income year-over-year. The company’s stock has also fallen significantly amid a challenging retail environment and increased competition.
Despite the layoffs, Target insists the restructuring is part of a “process and growth” initiative designed to position the company for long-term stability.
What’s Next
The company said it remains committed to supporting affected employees through career counseling and placement programs as it prepares for a new strategic direction heading into 2026.
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