Part 10/16:
Retail quality appears uneven, with chains like Target announcing significant layoffs—around 1,800 corporate positions—due to stagnant sales and operational inefficiencies. The company blames excess bureaucracy and overlapping responsibilities, aiming to streamline and speed up decision-making under a new CEO. Still, Target’s stock has plummeted 65% since 2021, contrasting sharply with Walmart's 123% growth over the same period. Target's heavy reliance on discretionary spending makes it especially vulnerable in an economic downturn.