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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

Target calls entire commercial unit back to Minneapolis HQ three days a week

Some teams had already issued a mandate, but not the whole department.
July 11, 2025
Target employees were once again filing out of Target Corporate headquarters in Downtown Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon with boxes of personal belongings after Target Corp. announced they would be laying off about 550 employees who work in the Twin Cities as it continues to wind down its Canadian business.

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

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
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