Inside Target’s AI-First Retail Operating Model
How Target is embedding generative AI across stores, merchandising, and
Inside Finance | Mar 08, 2025
🟪 Gap (USA) reported Q4 net sales fell 3% to $4.1 billion. Operating income rose 21% to $259 million. Same-store sales rose 3%. Old Navy and Gap’s sales fell 3%, Banana Republic’s sales were down 4% and Althleta fell 5% in Q4.
🟪 Adidas (Germany) reported Q4 revenue rose 19% to €5.97 billion ($6.34 billion) , reflecting double-digit growth in all markets. Operating profit reached €57 million ($60 million) compared to prior-year loss of €377 million.
🟪 Costco (USA) reported its Q2 revenue rose 9% to $63.72 billion. The results came as merchandise costs rose 9%. Revenue from membership fees rose 7% year-over-year to $1.19 billion.
🟪 Foot Locker (USA) reported Q4 comparable sales rose 2.6%, despite total sales falling 5.8% to $2.23 billion. Operating income rose to $55 million, from a net loss of $389 million a year ago.
🟪 Target (USA) reported Q4 net sales fell 3% to $30.9 billion. Same-store sales rose 1.5%. Operating income fell 21% to $1.5 billion.
🟪 Nordstrom (USA) reported Q4 net sales fell 2% to $4.2 billion. Same-store sales were up 4.7%. EBIT rose 13% to $242 million.
🟪 The Very Group (UK), the online retail platform) faces mounting pressure from its debt pile as sales slide, Fitch Ratings warns.
🟪 Prada (Italy) could be closing in on a deal to buy Versace. The group has been reported to have agreed to pay $1.55 billion to Versace’s US owner Capri Holdings, whose brands also include Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors. Capri bought Versace for $1.93 billion in 2018.
🟪 Klarna Group (Sweden) is reportedly preparing to file for an IPO as soon as next week. The Buy Now Pay Later company is targeting a valuation of more than $15 billion in the New York Stock Exchange listing, and has plans to price the IPO in early April, per Bloomberg.
🟪 Victoria’s Secret (USA) is laying off 700 people and closing its California headquarters. Last month parent company Catalyst Brands layed off 250 people. The brand was purchased out of bankruptcy about 5 years ago, but has failed to show sustained growth.
Markets
How Target is embedding generative AI across stores, merchandising, and
As experimentation fades, AI is being wired into the core
Top-line growth is forecast to slow due to fragile demand,
Disciplined product curation, premium stores, and accessible pricing are driving
Mid tier brands are outperforming both luxury and most fashion
Brands face pressure to shore up profits and rethink strategies