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

If the holiday shopping season is a retailer’s final exam each year, back-to-school is the midterms. For Target, this year’s test is a big one.

Success depends on getting the basics right: exciting merchandise, fully stocked stores, and competitive pricing. Those are all areas where Target has stumbled in recent years.

This year’s season is also an early read on CEO Michael Fiddelke’s turnaround plan. He took the reins earlier this year after a rough patch for Target, which faced boycotts in 2025 after winding down several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Last week, it faced fresh criticism over a children’s Halloween costume…