Employee in charge of commercial operations announces strategy for employees to return to the office setting
In an effort to foster better collaboration and accelerate business growth, Target has announced that its commercial team members will be required to return to the office three days a week starting September 2, 2025. This shift in office policy is closely tied to the retail giant's broader multiyear merchandise revamp, which was launched in March 2025.
The return-to-office strategy is part of a larger five-year goal to achieve $15 billion in sales growth by 2030. Target has been facing pressure to turn around its business due to slumping sales and foot traffic this year, and analysts have noted the company's lack of differentiation in the current market.
The multiyear merchandise revamp focuses on new product offerings, private labels, and innovation to differentiate Target in a challenging retail environment. Rick Gomez, the Chief Commercial Officer of Target, who has been with the company since 2013, is overseeing this transformation. Gomez is responsible for overseeing the multicategory merchandise assortment, owned brands, enterprise insights, and merchandising planning at Target.
In an email sent to corporate commercial employees last week, Gomez emphasised the importance of more time together in the office for building stronger relationships, solving problems quickly, and growing the business faster. Hybrid employees in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota are encouraged to come into headquarters on days of their choosing, while considering business needs.
Individual leaders are empowered to make decisions for their teams based on company guidance as well as what's best for the role they play in the business. Gomez stressed flexibility in the policy change and doesn't want to take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Target has faced consumer backlash over corporate DEI policy changes and LGBTQ+ pride month merchandising in the last few years, and like many other retailers, is contending with shifting tariff policies in the U.S. A Target spokesperson stated that team members see the benefit from the in-person connection and collaboration that's a part of being in the office.
The decision to return to the office is intended to help create consistency, which is crucial for the success of the merchandise revamp and the broader turnaround efforts. The office work policy shift at Target is likely related to the company's goal to grow its business and solve problems quickly.
Sources: [1] Target to require commercial team members to return to office three days a week as part of business growth strategy. (2025, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.target.com/news/target-to-require-commercial-team-members-to-return-to-office-three-days-a-week-as-part-of-business-growth-strategy
[2] Target's multiyear merchandise revamp aims for $15 billion in sales growth by 2030. (2025, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.target.com/news/targets-multiyear-merchandise-revamp-aims-for-15-billion-in-sales-growth-by-2030
[3] Target's return to office policy designed to support business growth and merchandise transformation. (2025, August 16). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/targets-return-office-policy-designed-support-business-growth-and-merchandise-transformation-2025-08-16/
- The return-to-office strategy, a part of Target's five-year goal to achieve $15 billion in sales growth by 2030, is aimed at enhancing collaboration and expediting business growth in the retail industry.
- Rick Gomez, who oversees Target's multi-category merchandise assortment, owned brands, enterprise insights, and merchandising planning, emphasizes the importance of more time together in the office for building stronger relationships, problem-solving, and business growth.
- Individual leaders in the company are given the power to make decisions based on company guidance, while ensuring what's best for their respective roles in the business, thereby fostering a culture of leadership and innovation in the business and finance sectors.
- In response to consumer backlash over corporate DEI policy changes and LGBTQ+ merchandising, Target emphasizes the benefits of in-person connection and collaboration for fostering a stronger, united workforce in the AI and leadership domains.
- The shift in office policy at Target, aimed at creating consistency and collaboration, is a significant step in the company's broader turnaround efforts and efforts to differentiate itself in the retail market through new product offerings and innovation.
