Carson Hartzog
Retail reporter
Hartzog covers major Minnesota retailers like Target and Best Buy, as well as emerging trends in the industry, ranging from apparel to grocery. Before joining the Minnesota Star Tribune, she worked as the opinions editor for the Daily Iowan. She can be reached on the encrypted messaging app Signal at carsonhartzog.13.
Latest from Carson Hartzog
How AI is quietly reshaping your shopping trip
From chatbots and ChatGPT to stocking and pricing in stores, AI tools are increasingly being used by Target, Walmart, Evereve and more.
December 2, 2025
More tech upgrades bump Best Buy’s sales, but home purchases still lag
The Richfield-based retailer posted its second straight quarter of sales growth, but consumer sentiment and competition keep analysts conservative on stock.
November 25, 2025
Incoming CEO is writing Target’s next chapter, including largest store overhaul in a decade
Analysts are wary Michael Fiddelke’s plan won’t be quick enough to stem the Minneapolis-based retailer’s slide.
November 23, 2025
Twin Cities shoppers are likely to hold the line on spending this holiday season
Deloitte found that the local barometer is better than the nation, but Target and Walmart executives also said this week it will be a budget-conscious holiday season.
November 20, 2025
Key takeaways from Target’s pre-holiday report
As tight consumer budgets continue, Target’s sales and profits both declined. The company also is increasing its investment in stores, merchandise and AI.
November 19, 2025
Share your story: How are you approaching holiday shopping this year?
Share your experience to help inform our reporting.
November 12, 2025
Target, other retailers slash prices on milk, eggs, butter as shoppers tighten budgets
Target and others are lowering prices as millions wait for November SNAP benefits and others are continuing to be cautious in spending.
November 11, 2025
Target’s corporate archivists preserve a century of Minnesota retail history
From past iterations of shopping carts to a salvaged Target Center “T,” these researchers can trace the Minneapolis-based retailer’s roots back to Dayton’s department store in the early 1900s.
November 11, 2025
North Minneapolis nonprofit increases commitment to free delivered meal boxes
Appetite for Change’s program, funded this year by the Target-owned Shipt, aims to provide 42,000 meals to households by December and is exploring how it may expand again to help SNAP recipients.
November 4, 2025
Target employees say messy layoffs are latest signal of culture shift
The Minneapolis-based retailer was once prided for its progressive workplace policies. Employees say that’s changed.
October 30, 2025
Target's latest job cuts show new way corporations are handling layoffs
More than 800 Target employees in the Twin Cities were laid off on Tuesday, news they learned in a group telephone meeting. A more impersonal approach to cutting employees has become more of a norm in corporate America in recent years.
October 28, 2025
Share your story: Are you affected by the recent downsizing at Target?
Share your experience to help inform our reporting.
October 28, 2025
