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MINNEAPOLIS — In the last several years, Target has reshuffled the top echelon of its merchandising leadership, shifting responsibility for different segments of the retailer’s offerings to its most gifted executives as its business has rapidly evolved.
The most recent reorganization occurred in January, with Jill Sando, who had been named chief merchandising officer for all hard lines and soft lines in 2021, taking leadership of all Target’s discretionary categories, encompassing hard lines, home, apparel and accessories, while Target’s frequency categories, including food, essentials and beauty care, have been assigned to Rick Gomez, who had been chief food and beverage officer.
With this move, Sando resumes direction of the categories that her leadership has transformed with a particularly distinctive flair over the years. The latest example is a collaboration with iconic designer Diane von Furstenberg and her granddaughter, Talita von Furstenberg, to launch an exclusive, limited-time-only Spring collection consisting of more than 200-pieces spanning women’s, girls’ and baby apparel and accessories, plus beauty and home decor, starting at $4, with most items under $50.
Jill Sando
The collection also includes, however, made-to-order furniture starting at $300. Offerings include such items as headboards, benches and room dividers that can be customized in one of seven exclusive Diane von Furstenberg for Target fabrics.
Last September, meanwhile, Target unveiled a long-term strategic partnership with fashion-meets-philanthropy lifestyle brand Kendra Scott. The collaboration enables Target to offer its guests quality jewelry and accessories at terrific values
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After beginning her retail career at Yonkers Department Store in Des Moines, Sando joined Target in 1997 as an associate buyer of intimate apparel. In 2000 she was appointed senior buyer, followed in 2003 by promotion to director of merchandise planning.
Two years later, Sando entered the executive ranks when she was elevated to vice president of hard lines product design and development. In 2014 she was named senior vice president of home, with responsibility for re-invigorating the category, which had been identified as one of Target’s five strategically critical categories. Sando’s success in that initiative resulted in her being given responsibility for apparel as well.
In 2020 Target decided to try a new approach to running its complex, multi-category business by naming multiple chief merchants responsible for the different segments of its assortment. Sando was promoted to executive vice president and named chief merchandising officer of style and owned brands. A year later, her portfolio was expanded to include all soft lines and hard lines.
