Target Is Back To Its ‘Cheap Chic’ Roots, But The Retailer Has To Keep The Momentum Going

Nestled inside Target’s Minneapolis headquarters, racks of unfinished clothes line the walls. In another area, sketches and splotches of color are hung up for inspiration. Walk down the hallway, and it looks like you’ve arrived at an HGTV set with bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens on display. This is the creative hub of Target’s in-house brands — a key part of the retailer’s turnaround. Scattered throughout, there are chemical mixing labs and an alcove with a handful of 3-D printers. About 550 employees work together to bring roughly 40 private labels like Goodfellow & Co. for men’s clothing, and Up & Up for cleaning supplies, to life. Meetings take place around a dining table in Target’s Made By Design room, which is decked out with kitchen appliances and other utensils from that label. And “Targeters,” as they’re sometimes referred to, arrive back from fashion shows or visits to overseas shops, toting items they’ve collected on their journeys. Each week, so-called kid influencers are ushered in and out of the Cat & Jack room to offer feedback on clothing styles being developed for the coming year. Read more at CNBC.