Target Announces Over 800 Layoffs in Twin Cities, Citing Need for Efficiency

MINNEAPOLIS/ BROOKLYN PARK, MN – Target Corporation announced permanent layoffs this week affecting more than 800 employees across its Twin Cities operations, according to notices filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

The restructuring includes approximately 287 permanent layoffs at the company’s Northern Campus in Brooklyn Park and 528 permanent positions at its downtown Minneapolis headquarters, totaling 815 impacted employees in the Twin Cities metro area. The WARN Act requires employers to provide 60 days’ notice for mass layoffs. Target has said the layoffs will take effect on January 3, 2026. Ahead of the announcement, all U.S. corporate staff were instructed to work remotely this week.

Positions Affected

At the Brooklyn Park campus, the layoffs span a range of management and specialized roles, including communications manager; senior auditor; director of project management and global business integration; senior cybersecurity manager; and senior digital guest services manager. These positions represent critical managerial and operational functions across the campus.

Company Statement

Incoming Target CEO Michael Fiddelke described the layoffs as a strategic move to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making, rather than purely a cost-cutting measure. In an email to employees, Fiddelke wrote:

“This spring, we launched our enterprise acceleration efforts with a clear ambition: to move faster and simplify how we work to drive Target’s next chapter of growth. The truth is, the complexity we’ve created over time has been holding us back. Too many layers and overlapping work have slowed decisions, making it harder to bring ideas to life.”

The company said the restructuring is part of a broader effort to reverse a period of flat or declining sales dating back to 2023.

Economic Context

The layoffs come amid a challenging job market. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6% in August, lower than the national rate of 4.3%, yet state data indicate that the number of Minnesotans experiencing long-term unemployment—defined as six months or longer—has doubled since last year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September jobs report was unavailable due to a federal government shutdown, leaving some uncertainty about national labor trends.

Analysts note that while Target’s in-store and supply-chain employees are unaffected, the elimination of these corporate positions may have broader implications for the local economy, particularly in Brooklyn Park and downtown Minneapolis, where these high-skilled, higher-wage roles contribute significantly to regional employment.

Looking Ahead

Affected employees will receive severance and other support as they transition out of their roles. Experts advise those impacted to update their skills, engage professional networks, and explore creative approaches to job searching.

With over 800 Twin Cities jobs eliminated and thousands more impacted globally, Target’s announcement signals a major strategic pivot as the Minneapolis-based retailer seeks to streamline corporate operations, accelerate decision-making, and position itself for future growth.

MinneapoliMedia