MINNEAPOLIS — When shoppers browse Target
’s aisles this fall, they will see purses with fringe accents, dresses made of suede-inspired fabrics and hats with a cowgirl flair. As winter comes, they’ll find cozy sweaters with a ski lodge spin.
Target’s creative team has traveled the world to find inspiration for its brands, from a rodeo in Colorado to ski lodges in the French Alps and restaurants in the Hudson Valley.
With global trips, an artificial intelligence-powered tool and sharper critiques of its own merchandise, the big-box retailer wants to get back to its roots: Designing attention-grabbing, fashion-forward clothing and home decor at an affordable price.
Target’s merchandise was once a competitive advantage, but even the company admits it has lost that edge. The big-box retailer’s sales have declined in some categories that it’s best known for, such as home goods, as competitors lure away customers.
