Target fires head of Canada operations

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Target has fired the president of its troubled Canadian operations, Tony Fisher, and is replacing him with a 15-year U.S. company veteran.

The executive shake-up in Canada comes two weeks after the abrupt resignation of Target’s CEO and Chairman Gregg Steinhafel.

The third-largest U.S. retailer announced Tuesday that Mark Schindele, 45, who was senior vice president of merchandising operations, will run the Canadian operation. Target’s expansion into Canada last year marked its first foray outside the U.S., but it has struggled with weak sales and losses. The changes are effective immediately.

Schindele has played a key role in launching new store formats including an expanded grocery area, as well as Target Express and CityTarget in the U.S. He also has led a global team and provided senior-level oversight to Target’s merchandising operations, including systems, global sourcing and product development.

Schindele will report to Kathee Tesija, chief merchandising and supply-chain officer, whose responsibilities include Target Canada.

Target, based in Minneapolis, also said that it will be naming a nonexecutive chairman in Canada. In its newly created advisory role, the chairman will provide counsel and support to the president of Target Canada to ensure all strategies and tactics align with the Canadian marketplace.

The company also announced the promotions of three senior merchandising executives in its U.S. division as it tries to be more nimble in bringing trendy products into stores more quickly.