I spent my Saturday with the Target exec on a mission to fix its stores

Target's chief stores officer, Adrienne Costanzo, embarked on a mission to improve the performance of the retail giant's stores across the United States. Costanzo, a 22-year veteran of Target, has taken on this role since February 2025, just six months before Michael Fiddelke became the CEO. She is responsible for overseeing more than 350,000 workers in 2,000 stores nationwide.

The back-to-school shopping season is the second-biggest retail moment after the holiday period, making this a crucial test for Target's turnaround plan. This year, the company is focusing on getting the basics right: exciting merchandise, fully stocked stores, and competitive pricing. These areas have been areas of struggle for Target in recent years.

Costanzo recently visited two Target stores in Madison, Wisconsin, to assess how the company is addressing these issues. During her walkthroughs, she huddled with store manager Ben Cossack and engaged with employees and shoppers. Costanzo has been on the road for her 16th state visit in three weeks, stopping in states like Michigan and Nebraska.

The foot traffic during this back-to-school rush is significant, with parents and students filling the stores. Costanzo received positive feedback from shoppers about Target's improved inventory levels and collaborations with brands like LoveShackFancy and Hollister. However, she also noted areas for improvement, such as training and balancing the responsibilities of store teams during busy periods.

One store had sold out of Pokémon merchandise due to high demand, highlighting the challenges of keeping popular items in stock. Costanzo acknowledged that while employees are putting in the work, there is still room for improvement in customer interaction and attention to detail during peak shopping times.