Walking into a Target store is the best feeling, whether it’s a quick, in-and-out trip or a relaxing stroll through the aisles, coffee in hand. But maybe you have a question about a product, need some advice or a tip on how to make the most of the services we offer. Don’t worry—our team members are here to help.
Across the country, we’re changing the way we run our stores and building teams of trained experts equipped with specialized product and department knowledge in areas we know guests ask questions about most often.
It’s part of our ongoing investment to elevate guests’ experience in our stores with a higher level of service that adds convenience, fun and inspiration. We’ve already dedicated millions of payroll hours to additional training and staffing at stores this year, giving team members opportunities to take on new roles, sharpen their skills and learn new ones. We’re also hiring new team members who are passionate about specific areas of our business—like beauty, apparel, electronics, and food and beverage—and bring experience from that field.
The effort began in 2016 with the introduction of roles like the visual merchandiser—a dedicated team member who creates merchandise displays throughout the store, interacting with guests along the way to help them shop and learn more about what they want. Like Crystal Lawrence (pictured below), an eight-year team member who jumped at the chance to take on the role at our Fulton Street store in Brooklyn, N.Y., store just a few months ago.
“My new job is to create product displays that inspire guests and help them visualize how they might put together a fantastic outfit, or style a room in their house,” Crystal says. “I try to stay up on all the latest trends in fashion and home décor, as well as events happening in our neighborhood (from baseball games to marathons), so I’m ready with whatever guests come looking for.”
Over the past year, we’ve expanded the approach to ensure team members throughout the store offer guests amplified service, more in-depth product familiarity and the know-how to put it all together. Watch for more team member experts on our sales floor soon—here are a few places you’ll find them.
Throughout Apparel and Accessories
If you need some help in the apparel and accessories area or fitting rooms, look for one of our savvy style team members, who now support this business from the moment the product is delivered to the store until it lands in a guest’s basket. Their specialties? Helping you put together personalized looks you’ll love and sharing the scoop on Target’s popular new brands. Bonus: If you’re looking for a certain size, color or fit, they’ll track it down for you.
In the Electronics department
Shopping for new tech? No need to feel intimidated. Our team member electronics experts are certified in popular product categories—like TVs, gaming, connected living, tablets, audio and cameras—and they’re ready to answer any question you have, no matter how complicated.
In the Beauty aisles
Our experts here are avid fans of beauty products, so naturally they’re in the know about Target’s broad assortment. Whether you’re looking for a new skin care regimen or beauty routine, or just interested in trying a new product or two, our experts are there to help with questions and share the latest deals you won’t want to miss.
In the Food & Beverage area
Keeping things exciting in the kitchen can be overwhelming in the aisles, so our experts are on hand to answer questions about our products and brands, help you find the ingredients to pull off your big family dinner, and even inspire you with new food pairing ideas to try.
Near the front of the store
If you need to get in and out fast, our experts can help make your trip as quick and convenient as possible with handy tips to speed up your checkout. They’ll also help you fulfill online orders at the Order Pickup kiosk, and coming soon, they’ll bring orders to your car via our Drive Up service—we’re testing it now in Minneapolis with plans to introduce it at more stores in the future.
And how’s it going so far?
“These team members are truly experts on their products in every sense, from brand to materials to prices,” says Erica Anderson, a store team leader in West Hills, Calif. whose team has been working this way for the better part of the year. “And they love interacting with guests. We have lots of regulars who come in and ask for the same team members to get advice. It’s a whole new level of service and our guests really love it.”
Thinking about joining the Target team? Visit our Careers pages to learn more about these and other available roles, and check out the Pulse blog to meet more of our team members.
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