Target has announced its plans to increase representation of Black team members across the company by 20 percent over the next three years by sharpening.
The retailer says that it plans to meet this objective by focusing on advancement, retention and hiring.
“Inclusivity is a deeply rooted value at Target and we’ve had an ambitious diversity and inclusion strategy for many years for our guests and team. We know that having a diverse workforce and inclusive environment not only creates a stronger team, but also provides the perspectives we need to create the products, services, experiences and messages our guests expect,” said Melissa Kremer, Chief Human Resources Officer.
“The next step in this journey is being even more transparent with our progress by sharing a deeper look into the racial and gender diversity of our team, listening to our team’s feedback along the way and using this information to drive a number of new commitments for our team.”
According to Target’s recently released Workforce Diversity Report, the company’s workforce of nearly 350,000 team members is 50 percent of people of color and more than half (58%) are women.
The report also touts that 42 percent of Target’s Leadership Team is comprised of women, and nearly a quarter 24 percent are people of color. Additionally, Target has doubled the representation of Company officers of color in the past five years. On its Board of Directors, a third are women and nearly half are Latinx or Black.
Target says it plans to make a number of systemic changes, including:
They are leveraging its stores, supply chain, and HQ experiences to provide broader leadership pathways for Black team members to develop and advance. It will also develop programs to hire and retain Black team members in career areas with low levels of representation, including technology, data sciences, merchandising and marketing.
“The changes we’re making are going to have a meaningful impact on the careers of our Black team members and prospective team members,” said Kiera Fernandez, Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
“A diverse and inclusive team at Target is one where there’s equity in how we promote, retain and hire team members. Additional leadership development, training programs and mentorship for our Black team members, along with a focus in areas of the business where our Black representation is not as strong, will offer new career development opportunities for our team for years to come. And we know the support we have for our team helps extend our reach outside our walls, creating a ripple effect that impacts our guests and communities.”
