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.
Latest from Carson Hartzog
Private-label brands at Target, other groceries losing stigma as shoppers budget more
Consumer buying habits have changed dramatically since the pandemic, with more buying private-label goods at the same time grocers are putting more muscle behind them.
July 5, 2025
Black Friday-like sales are now in summer too, as Target, Best Buy compete with Amazon Prime Days
The Twin Cities-based retailers both will have dayslong events as back-to-school season starts.
July 2, 2025
Target faces serious challenges as CEO Cornell’s retirement nears
The Brian Cornell era is nearing an end, and an heir apparent has appeared.
June 28, 2025
Minnesota’s med spa industry rises in popularity — and with little regulation
The med spa industry has grown quickly. That’s one reason clients should ask questions about a provider’s training and the salon’s medical oversight
June 7, 2025
Hundreds line up at Best Buy to nab Nintendo Switch 2, in scene like ’90s opening parties
Both Best Buy and Target are leaning hard on promotions for Switch sales this quarter.
June 5, 2025
Target recalls more employee groups to downtown Minneapolis headquarters
The retailer said it has not changed its corporate policy, but employees said their teams now have required in-office days.
June 4, 2025
‘Hazardous’ air-quality alert dropped in NW. Minnesota as cleaner air moves into state
Wildfire smoke from Canada covered the remainder of the state where air-quality alerts are up through Wednesday morning.
June 3, 2025
Consumers want deals, which leaves Best Buy again predicting little to no growth
Tariff costs also will drag the Richfield-based retailer’s results for the rest of the year.
May 29, 2025
Target profits boosted by $593M payout in antitrust credit card settlements
Without the Visa and MasterCard settlements factored in, the Minneapolis-based retailer did not meet Wall Street expectations for quarterly earnings.
May 28, 2025
Former Midwest Mountaineering employee opens outdoor store in North Loop
Lake State Mountaineering launched an online business last year and earlier this month opened Minneapolis store.
May 27, 2025
Target’s executive shakeup signals newfound urgency to fix problems
Minneapolis-based retailer put its chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke, in charge of a new unit that will find ways to change faster and add efficiencies.
May 21, 2025
![Michael Fiddelke, Target CFO, at the downtown Target store Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, MN.] DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com Three years ago, Target laid out a bold plan to invest $7 billion into its business that paid off better than anyone could have imagined. Executives will head back to New York this week to lay out the next iteration of their strategy.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SVPXUQT5IMZ577JHGLS5NYAPFI.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Target’s woes worsen as consumers continue to tighten budgets
CEO Brian Cornell said a number of factors led to a sharp sales decline in the first quarter, largely motivated by declining consumer sentiment amid economic uncertainty.
May 21, 2025
