BUSINESS

“No matter what I do, the beds still look a bit creased and worn, even grubby, in pictures.”

Target has been suffering through an identity crisis as it switched CEOs and has struggled to rebuild its customer connection.One of new CEO Michael Fiddelke’s first priorities has been to clean up the chain’s stores by simplifying operations for store managers.“If you’re a store manager now, yes, you’re supporting your in-store guest and you’re also running a fulfillment business that’s gotten pretty big,” he told CNBC. “And I think we’re just now fully appreciating, ‘All right, we’ve got to make sure that we’re doing both really well and it’s more complex than it used to be.’”GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders thinks Fiddelke has diagnosed that problem correctly.”The main reason some of Target’s stores are so sloppy is because associates have been given more things to do without a corresponding increase in available labor hours. That means basic tasks, like replenishment and recovery, are not attended to. Removing or reducing online fulfillment from some stores will free up time,” he wrote on RetailWire.Target also plans to make a major shift in its grocery section.Target wants to be a specialty grocerAs a regular Target grocery shopper, I have always been a bit confused as to how the company saw its own offering. In some areas, it sells a selection of merchandise that rivals Walmart, Kroger, or other major grocery chains, while in other sections, it offered a more curated set of items.Its fresh meat and fish selections were limited compared to Walmart or my local Publix, and the same has been true for produce.Target’s Chief Merchandise Officer Cara Sylvester explained the chain’s grocery strategy during its fourth-quarter earnings call.”We’re focused on what’s next, strengthening Target’s unique identity when it comes to food. We are not trying to be an everything grocer or just another grocer down the street. Instead, we’re building a truly distinctive grocery destination where emerging brands, wellness and owned brands intersect,” she said.Abandoning the “everything grocer” idea means admitting that your customers will shop at rival chains, something most large-scale stores try to prevent.Target has a different plan. “Put another way, we’re bringing even more of our style and design authority to food for families looking for fun trend-forward options, whether it’s for lunch box snacks or a Tuesday night dinner. That’s why we’re delivering newness at twice the industry’s rate,” she shared.Target wants to be cool again”Rather than seek to convince shoppers to make it a primary destination for essentials — as rival mass retailer Walmart has done so effectively — Target is instead hoping customers will head to its stores to keep up with the latest trends,” wrote Retail Dive’s Sam Silverstein.Target wants to be more of an experience than a traditional grocery chain, according to Sylvester.”We’re also investing meaningfully in the in-store food experience because shopping for food at Target should feel distinctly Target, delightful, joyful, unlike what you’ll find anywhere else,” she said.More Retail:Walmart fires OpenAI in playbook-changing moveCostco CEO just gave members a new reason to renewBath & Body Works makes big change customers will notice right awayThat will include more in-store sampling. “We’re expanding sampling, particularly on weekends, to create more opportunities for guests to discover something new, to try emerging brands and engage with our assortment in a way that feels energetic and experiential,” she added.Target also has an incentive to get consumers to purchase items from its owned-and-operated brands (O&O).Net profit margins for U.S. grocery stores are razor-thin: 1-2%, according to a report from Mercator Advisory Group.O&O brands raise those margins.”Private label products yield 35% profit margins compared to 26% for national brands, according to the Mercator data.

Target aims to invest meaningfully in the in-store food experience.Shutterstock

Target faces a challengeWalmart generally has cheaper prices than Target, but Target may be able to find a niche as a value seller of quality and interesting merchandise.John Mercer, head of global research for Coresight Research, told Retail Dive that “history shows that retailers that, like Target, have lost share to price-competitive rivals have not been able to right the ship just by putting money into their stores.” This approach, however, may be different.”That’s why Target’s effort to stand out by carefully curating its grocery assortment could be the key to its success going forward — and underscores the importance for the company of finding ways to help shoppers cut their costs even as they seek out trendy goods,” Silverstein wrote. Target, however, first has to get customers back in its stores.”Foot traffic declined year over year in every month in the second half of the year except October, and fourth-quarter visits fell 2%. Traffic ticked up in January — overall visits rose 0.7% and same-store visits increased 0.2% — but Placer.ai attributed the gains to an extra Saturday in the month,” Supermarket News reported.Weekend store visits for the Minneapolis-based retailer fell 6.1% year over year in 2025, compared with a 0.6% decline at Walmart. Target’s weekday visits decreased 1.3% year over year.Related: Costco makes key gas move as pump prices rise

Gold suffered its biggest monthly drop in nearly 13 years and some central banks have shifted from being buyers to sellers — but that actually proves the precious metal can be more valuable to investors than it’s ever been.

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While Bitcoin developers scramble to find a solution and Ethereum prepares for ‘Q-day,’ Solana is trying to get ahead of that scenario.

Aerosmith debuts Aerosmith on the Top Album Sales chart as the re-release gives the band another hit half a century after its original release.

“If history is a guide, this is precisely the time you want to be selling memory-exposed names,” market technician says.

“No matter what I do, the beds still look a bit creased and worn, even grubby, in pictures.”

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealIf you want to revamp your spring or summer wardrobe, clothing isn’t the only thing to consider. From handbags and wristwatches to sunglasses and hair clips, accessories are an effortless way to upgrade your existing attire. When your date night dress or ordinary office outfit needs a bit of dazzle, you can’t go wrong reaching for a piece of jewelry, and you don’t have to break the bank when adding a new piece to your collection, especially if you take advantage of one of Macy’s current deals. Understated and elegant, the Macy’s Cubic Zirconia Multi-Color Adjustable Bolo Bracelet is 55% off with a limited-time special sale at Macy’s. That means instead of paying the regular price of $40, you can score this mesmerizing adornment for just $18. We love the classic style of a bolo bracelet, since it looks great on the wrist, but also because you can put on the bracelet easily by yourself, thanks to the adjustable slider.Macy’s Cubic Zirconia Multi-Color Adjustable Bolo Bracelet, $18 (was $40) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

Shop at Macy’sWhy do shoppers love it?Constructed from durable brass, this elegant bracelet adds a layer of fine rose gold plating and multi-colored gemstones for a luxe look that’s less susceptible to wear and tear over time. The row of 12 simulated cubic zirconia gemstones sparkle and shine when catching the light, so while the piece is dainty and delicate, it makes a beautiful statement. One shopper who called the jewelry “stylish” also raved that it is “such a cute, colorful bracelet that looks expensive.” While the piece has the appearance of lavish jewelry, it won’t break your budget like a high-end selection.Related: Walmart is selling lightweight $18 Swarovski rose earrings that come in three shades of goldThe versatility of this bracelet is one of its standout features. The rose gold metallic hue and the gems in shades of lavender, green, maroon, and black pair well with a variety of colors. You could wear the bracelet by itself, but you can also layer it with your smartwatch or other go-to bracelets. Additionally, it’s easy to dress up or down, whether you want to add some polish to your everyday look, like when having dinner with friends, or accessorize your attire for a formal event. “Love this bracelet — the gems are a subtle accent that really works for day or night wear,” one reviewer wrote, praising the jewelry. They called the overall look “dainty glamour,” which we think is a perfect description. Details to know Closure type: Bolo.Metal: The bracelet is made from bronze plated with rose gold.Length: The bracelet measures 6 to 10 inches long, depending on how you adjust it.Everyone has different style preferences, so if this rose gold jewelry isn’t quite for you, Macy’s has other noteworthy deals on bracelets discounted to $25 or less to check out.Shop more dealsMacy’s Herringbone and Baguette Stones Tennis Bracelet, $18 (was $50) at Macy’sCharter Club Imitation Pearl Double-Row Slider Bracelet, $24 (was $40) at Macy’sAdornia Rhodium-Plated Tennis-Style Slider Bracelet, $17 (was $25) at Macy’sAdd the Macy’s Cubic Zirconia Multi-Color Adjustable Bolo Bracelet to your jewelry box while it’s on sale for just $18 at Macy’s. The sale will end in just a few days, so don’t miss your chance to save.

CryptoQuant data shows overall bitcoin demand is contracting at -63,000 BTC per month even as institutional buyers accelerate purchases, with large holders distributing nearly 188,000 BTC over the past year.