Target shakes up merchandising leadership again, begins search for new CMO

Objective continues to make changes to its leadership following the retirement of Chief Operating Officer John Mulligan and the appointment of then-Chief Financial Officer Michael Fiddelke in January 2024. Current Chief Development Officer Christina Hennington has been promoted to Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, while Rick Gomez, who took over as director of food, staples and beauty in January, will oversee all of Target’s merchandising operations as chief commercial officer. Both nominations are effective from July 7.

Current CMO Lisa Roath will take over Gomez’s former role, handling food, consumer goods and beauty sales, in early 2025 but will remain as CMO until her successor is found.

“As we execute on our plans for 2024 and look to the future, we are equipping key leaders and capabilities to sustain profitable growth for the long term,” Brian Cornell, president and CEO of Target, said in a statement. “As Rick assumes full merchandising oversight, Christina will focus on maintaining our customer-centric, differentiated and forward-looking strategy. Lisa will be an important member of Rick’s leadership team when she assumes her new role in 2025, bringing her previous experience and track record of leading our food and consumer products businesses. In the meantime, we will conduct a thorough search for a leading brand marketer to replace Lisa and build on our strong marketing foundation.”

Hennington joined Target in 2003 and became a member of its leadership team in 2020. During this time, she led large, complex business areas across the company, including overseeing its multi-category merchandising operations, which generated over $30 billion in growth. She also led various transformation initiatives for the retailer, including the sale of its pharmacy business CVS and his partnership with Ultra beauty.

Assuming his new role as director of strategy and development, Hennington will work to build on the retailer’s growth plan, ensuring the strategy remains relevant and differentiated. Additionally, Hennington will be responsible for continuing to strengthen 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 key role in Target’s strategy reset in 2017 and the launch of its Roundel advertising business in 2019. As director of food, essentials and beauty, Gomez and his team successfully repositioned Target as a leading food destination while growing its private label brands, including: Good and collecting AND Favorite day.

In his new role as chief merchandising officer, Gomez will have full oversight of Target’s merchandising operations, including apparel and accessories, home and stationary, food, essentials and beauty, private label sourcing and design, and merchandising planning and opportunities. Gomez will also report directly to Cornell.