NEW YORK (AP) — Target CEO Michael Fiddelke is reshuffling his leadership team and making other changes shortly after stepping into the top job at the retailer that has struggled operationally.
Rick Gomez, the 23-year Target veteran who oversees the chain's vast inventory of merchandise, will leave the company. And Jill Sando, the chief merchandising officer overseeing a handful of categories like apparel and home and who has been with the company since 1997, will retire.
Lisa Roath, who oversaw food, essentials and cosmetics, will take Fiddelke's previous job as chief operating officer, the company said Tuesday. Cara Sylvester, who had been chief guest experience officer, will become the company's chief merchandising officer.
The changes will allow Target to move with greater speed, Fiddelke said.
“It’s the start of a new chapter for Target, and we’re moving quickly to take action against our priorities that will drive growth within our business,” Fiddelke said in a release.
Gomez and Sando will remain with the company for a short time to help with the transition, but the changes become effective Sunday.
Also on Tuesday, the company reiterated its profit guidance. It is also increasing investment in store staffing at stores while eliminating about 500 jobs at distribution centers and regional offices, according to a memo sent to employees that Target shared with The Associated Press.
It is the first substantial change under Fiddelke, a 20-year company veteran who took over for Brian Cornell this month. The company's decision to choose an insider surprised many industry analysts who believe the company needs new ideas as it tries to revive sales.
Target has struggled to find its footing as many Americans have cut back on spending. Customers have also complained of disheveled stores that are missing the budget-priced niche that long ago earned the retailer the nickname “Tarzhay.”
The company has also been buffeted by consumer boycotts and backlash after it scaled back its corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
It has also faced protests for what some critics see as an insufficient response to President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis, its hometown, where two U.S. citizens where fatally shot last month by federal agents.
Target has not commented publicly after federal agents detaining two of its employees this month — although Fiddelke sent a video message to the company’s 400,000 workers calling recent violence “incredibly painful."
Fiddelke was one of 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies who signed an open letter in January calling for state, local and federal officials to find a solution after the fatal shootings.
FILE - The Target logo displayed on a sign outside a store, Nov. 18, 2025, in Salem, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Breezy Johnson is poised to earn her second gold of the Olympics on Tuesday — as long as teammate Mikaela Shiffrin can maintain the U.S. squad's advantage in the new team combined event.
The team combined consists of one racer competing in a downhill run and another in a slalom run, with the times from the two runs added together to determine the results.
Johnson gave her and Shiffrin a narrow edge by finishing 0.06 seconds ahead of Ariane Raedler of Austria and 0.27 in front of Laura Pirovano of Italy. Johnson is seeking her second gold in the Dolomite Mountains after finishing atop the podium in the downhill on Sunday.
“I didn’t feel so worried that I was going to blow out, which was my biggest fear today,” Johnson said. “And then I just was like, ‘Let’s have some fun. Let’s ski relaxed and free.’ And I feel like I did that.”
The slalom run is Tuesday afternoon and Shiffrin — the most decorated skier in history — will step into the starter's house in search of a bit of vindication after being unable to medal in any of the six events she entered four years ago in Beijing.
Johnson said Shiffrin texted that she was "blown away by the run because she’s very complimentary.
“And I just said, ‘No pressure from me and go get ’em,’” Johnson added. “I already have my gold medal. I hope that she has fun and does her best. But if anything happens I’m not going to be like, ‘Oh you ruined anything.’”
The U.S. also has another medal contending team in Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan. Wiles placed fourth in the downhill leg, 0.45 behind.
Johnson and childhood friend Shiffrin already combined to win gold in this event when it made its debut at last year's world championships. Johnson also won the downhill at the event in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria.
“It’s super special to bring it full circle,” Johnson said. “It’s been something that I’ve wanted ever since they announced this event. It’s not something that existed when we were kids (so) to be able to have a moment where you win a gold medal with one of your best friends is not something that a lot of people get to experience.”
Wiles and Moltzan have known each other since they were teenagers at the national development camp at Mount Hood, Oregon.
“We’ve grown up on the team together,” said Wiles, who also placed fourth in Sunday's downhill race.
There were no major crashes on the course where American star Lindsey Vonn broke her left leg on Sunday, though U.S. teammate Bella Wright lost her balance exiting Gate 4 — the same gate Vonn clipped — and drifted wide of the following gate. Wright was not injured and skied safely down.
Wright was one of two skiers unable to finish the downhill leg. Italian star Sofia Goggia lost her edge just past the midway point, much to the dismay of the hometown crowd in the bleachers below.
AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
United States' Mikaela Shiffrin concentrates ahead of an alpine ski, women's slalom portion of a team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
United States' Mikaela Shiffrin concentrates ahead of an alpine ski, women's slalom portion of a team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
United States' Jacqueline Wiles waves at the finish area of an alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Italy's Sofia Goggia crashes as she speeds down the course during an alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
United States' Breezy Johnson celebrates at the finish area of an alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
United States' Breezy Johnson speeds down the course during an alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
United States' Breezy Johnson after completing an alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
United States' Breezy Johnson speeds down the course during an alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
United States' Breezy Johnson celebrates at the finish area of an alpine ski, downhill portion of a women's team combined race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
