Does anyone else feel like targets identity crisis and pr image is as responsible for the decline in sales as anything else? The only thing that makes me think MAYBE there won’t be layoffs is because it really would make Target look sooooo much worse to fire people this close to the holidays and would further perpetuate that image of a company self sabotaging their image. I know they will try to spin it as streamlining and becoming more efficient but I think the public will see through that. The Minnesota nice will fade completely. Any thoughts?
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@bk also I think people are really really underestimating how much people dislike the Target brand right now. The missteps that pi---d off both sides of the political aisle are still boiling. For a bunch of rich executives to fire a bunch of people before the holidays isn’t going to go unnoticed by the average American. It will simply fuel the fire. Cutting costs isn’t going to matter when you can’t get people in the door and being heartless isn’t gonna help get people to come through those doors. I really think people are underestimating the public reaction.
@az I do think people will care. People don’t have to shop at Target. I think people choose Target because of what we offer but also because of what Target represents. Did anyone think this boycott would last this long? I think this will feed directly into it and add to the negative publicity. Of course im also looking for reasons why these layoffs won’t happen so there is that!
@aw I disagree. I don't think someone who is current guest in say, Orlando, is going to stop shopping at their neighborhood Target because corporate had layoffs. The word tariff was the #1 Googled word after the 2024 election. You think people follow business that close? There will be a small impact, yes. And MSP will feel it, but I don't think it'll be the final straw for people. Sales will remain negative YoY so cutting costs is seen as a positive business move. That cost is usually stores hourly payroll. Now it'll be HQ positions.
@a8 I get what you are saying but I think you are nuts if you aren’t considering that pastor Jamaal Bryant’s messaging if target does layoffs. It’s gonna be something along the lines of Target has such little appreciation for their black customers that rather than just reinstate their dei programs and fulfill their pledge to the black community target instead chose to fire their own employees, what kind of company does that?. You know he’s gonna be all over that. Of course im probably just looking 4 a reason that no layoffs r coming & being unrealistic & hopeful.
@OP I get what people are saying about stock price and what not but I still think their reputation will continue to be tarnished by layoffs to the point where people won’t really see any reason to shop there. I think folks have given Target as much slack as they are going to and layoffs will push them over the edge. Stock price isn’t gonna go up if people stop shopping there.
Declining sales are due to reputation, but it’s due economic factors, stale assortment, an inability to be price competitive, inventory issues, a declining store experience, a lack of innovation in fulfillment, and a flat loyalty program.
No. The stock price goes up when layoffs happen. Shareholders love a lean company. And Target leaders only care about the shareholders.
They only care about how it looks to investors. Cutting employees shows Target is making changes to course correct.
Current leaders are business first, not people first.
I wish I could agree with you but I also think Target has made it clear through various decisions lately that the brand perception amongst our team and guests is secondary to other concerns…