Target is continuing to make adjustments to its C-suite following the retirement of COO John Mulligan and subsequent appointment of then-CFO Michael Fiddelke to the role in January 2024. Current Chief Growth Officer Christina Hennington has been promoted to Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, while Rick Gomez, who took on the role of Chief Food, Essentials and Beauty Officer in January, will oversee all of Target’s merchandising business as Chief Commercial Officer. Both appointments are effective July 7.
Current Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Roath will take over Gomez’s previous role, handling the merchandising of food, essentials and beauty in early 2025, but she will remain as CMO until her successor is found.
“As we execute our 2024 plans and look to the future, we’re putting key leaders and capabilities in place to sustain profitable growth over the long term,” said Brian Cornell, Chair and CEO of Target in a statement. “As Rick takes on full oversight of merchandising, Christina will be dedicated to keeping our strategy consumer-centric, differentiated and future-focused. Lisa will be an important addition to Rick’s leadership team when she moves into her new role in 2025, bringing her prior experience and accomplishments leading our food and essentials businesses. In the meantime, we’ll conduct a thorough search for a top brand marketer to succeed Lisa and build on our strong marketing foundation.”
Hennington joined Target in 2003 and was named to its leadership team in 2020. During that time, she has led large, complex business areas across the company, including overseeing its multi-category merchandising business, which during her leadership generated more than $30 billion in growth. She also has spearheaded a variety of transformative initiatives for the retailer, including the sale of its pharmacy business to CVS and its partnership with Ulta Beauty.
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In her new role as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, Hennington will work to build on the retailer’s roadmap for growth, ensuring the strategy remains relevant and differentiated. Additionally, Hennington will be responsible for further strengthening relationships with Target’s strategic partners and identifying new partnerships that will differentiate and drive the retailer’s business. Hennington will continue to report to Cornell.
Gomez joined Target in 2013 and was named to the leadership team in 2017. He played a critical role in Target’s strategy reset in 2017 and the launch of its Roundel advertising business in 2019. As Chief Food, Essentials and Beauty Officer, Gomez and his team successfully repositioned Target as a leading destination for food, growing the company’s owned brands including Good & Gather and Favorite Day.
In his new role as Chief Commercial Officer, Gomez will have full oversight of Target’s merchandising business, including apparel and accessories, home, hardlines, food, essentials and beauty, owned brand sourcing and design and merchandising planning and capabilities. Gomez also will report directly to Cornell.
