Dive Brief:
- Jose Barra, Target’s executive vice president of merchandising categories such as beauty, electronics and grocery, is leaving the company.
- Target has brought on former Safeway executives to retool its grocery sections and is selling its pharmacies to CVS Caremark.
- Chief Merchandising Officer Kathryn “Kathee” Tesija left Target in June, and the retailer is still evaluating candidates for the position.
Dive Insight:
A shakeup in Target’s top ranks has claimed another executive, Jose Barra, formerly an executive vice president of merchandising. Under the direction of Target CEO Brian Cornell, the company will soon overhaul its grocery business and sell its pharmacies; both divisions previously reported to Barra.
Formerly the CEO of PepsiCo, Cornell has been trying to focus the big-box chain on core competencies such as baby, kids and wellness products, and the strategy has apparently been working, with Target reporting sales growth online and in stores. Since joining the company in August 2014, Cornell has also initiated the retailer’s exit from Canada.