Target’s Empty Shelves Problem Damages Its So-Far Successful Turnaround

Empty store shelves – a problem that has tormented Walmart for a couple of years – is also worrying retailer Target. CEO Brian Cornell says stores are not stocked well enough, a symptom of a loss of focus on its fundamental business. The problem is hurting a heretofore successful comeback bid for the company, which posted quarterly earnings that surpassed Wall Street estimates. To solve the problem Cornell hopes to improve the amount of merchandise available to shoppers (a.k.a., “in stocks”) while refining its supply chain.