Risk Factors Dashboard

Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.

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Risk Factors - TGT

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business is subject to many risks. The following risks, some of which have occurred and any of which may occur in the future, could materially and adversely affect our business and financial performance. These are not the only risks we face and there may be other risks that could materially and adversely affect our business and financial performance. Although the risks are organized by headings, and each risk is discussed separately, many are interrelated.

Competitive and Reputational Risks

If we are unable to positively differentiate ourselves from our competitors, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our ability to successfully differentiate ourselves depends on many competitive factors, including guest perceptions regarding our shopping experience, the safety and cleanliness of our stores, our ability to offer products at affordable prices, the desirability and exclusivity of our offerings, our in-stock levels, the effectiveness of our digital channels and fulfillment options, our ability to responsibly source merchandise, and our ability to create a personalized guest experience. If we fail to differentiate our guest experience from our competitors, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.


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Consumers continue to migrate to digital channels and seek out multiple fulfillment options, which has affected the ways we attempt to differentiate ourselves. Since consumers can quickly comparison shop using digital tools, they may make decisions based solely on price or convenience, which could limit our ability to differentiate from our competitors. If we are unable to offset our investments in these or other initiatives with improved performance or efficiencies, our results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, if we do not anticipate and adapt to consumer behavior or developments and offerings by our competitors, we may not be able to compete effectively. For example, we may be unable to match or surpass the advances in technologies and capabilities (including artificial intelligence) that our competitors implement for consumer-facing platforms or for internal operations, which could adversely affect our competitive position. As technology (including artificial intelligence) in the digital retail market continues to evolve, new competitors may emerge due to lowered barriers of entry, which could negatively impact our ability to compete. Furthermore, generative artificial intelligence presents emerging ethical issues and could negatively impact our guests and team members. If our use of generative or agentic artificial intelligence becomes controversial or is ineffective, or if the outputs generated are inaccurate or controversial, our reputation and competitive position could be adversely affected. Consumers may also use third-party channels, devices, technologies, and capabilities (including artificial intelligence) to initiate shopping searches and place orders, which could make us dependent on the capabilities and search algorithms of those third parties to reach those consumers. Any failures or difficulties in executing our differentiation efforts or adapting to offerings by our competitors could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

A large part of our business is dependent on our ability to make trend-right decisions in a broad range of merchandise categories and offer those products at affordable prices. If we do not accurately predict consumer demand and quickly respond to changing consumer preferences and spending patterns, we may experience lower sales, spoilage, and increased inventory markdowns, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Our ability to accurately predict consumer demand and adapt to changing consumer preferences depends on many factors, including obtaining accurate and relevant data on guest preferences, successfully implementing new technologies and capabilities (including artificial intelligence), emphasizing relevant merchandise categories, effectively managing our inventory levels, and implementing competitive and effective pricing and promotion strategies.

To be successful in the future, we must continue to preserve Target's reputation. Our reputation is largely based on perceptions. It may be difficult to address negative publicity or sensationalism across media channels, regardless of its accuracy or the reputability of its source, including as a result of fictitious media content (such as content produced by generative artificial intelligence or bad actors). Negative incidents (including those based on differing perspectives or opinions) involving us, our workforce, or others with whom we do business could quickly erode trust and confidence and result in changes in consumer behavior including consumer boycotts, workforce unrest or walkouts, government investigations, and litigation. We have previously experienced negative perceptions of our business, which have adversely affected consumer behavior and our results of operations, and we could experience similar occurrences in the future. Any of these outcomes could negatively impact our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.


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We previously established, and may continue to establish, various goals and initiatives regarding environmental, political, social, and governance matters, including with respect to sustainability and human capital management. We have modified and concluded, and may continue to modify and conclude, certain of these goals and initiatives from time to time. For example, in 2025, we announced that we modified and concluded certain of our initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which resulted in adverse reactions from some of our shareholders, guests, team members, and others, as well as consumer boycotts organized throughout 2025. Our establishment and continuation of any goals or initiatives regarding environmental, political, social, and governance matters, any modification or termination of such goals or initiatives, or any failure or perceived failure by us to achieve them, could result in negative reactions from our shareholders, guests, team members, vendors, and other third parties (including governmental entities and officials and non-governmental organizations) and lead to adverse perceptions of our business, consumer boycotts, litigation, investigations, and regulatory proceedings. In particular, certain federal and state officials and agencies have asserted that corporate initiatives regarding environmental, social, and governance matters, including with respect to sustainability, belonging, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, violate various federal and state laws. Although we believe that all of our corporate initiatives have complied with applicable laws, we could still become subject to litigation, investigations, and regulatory proceedings, including as it relates to corporate initiatives that have concluded. Any of these outcomes could negatively impact our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.

Some of these individuals and organizations have expectations that Target offer or not offer certain products and services or pursue or not pursue particular environmental, political, social, and governance initiatives, including with respect to belonging and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We have previously been unable to meet some of those conflicting expectations, which has led to negative publicity and adversely affected our reputation. For example, we experienced adverse reactions from some of our shareholders, guests, team members, and others related to our assortment of Pride Month products in 2023 and other positions we have taken with respect to social issues, including LGBTQIA+ matters, which resulted in consumer boycotts and litigation. As a result, we may experience adverse perceptions of our business, consumer boycotts, litigation, investigations, and regulatory proceedings. Any of these outcomes could negatively impact our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.

Reputational harm can also occur indirectly through companies and others with whom we do business or whose products we sell. We have consumer-facing relationships with a variety of other companies, including Apple, CVS, Disney, Levi’s, Starbucks, and Ulta Beauty. In addition, we have relationships with third-party companies that sell and ship items directly to guests through our digital channels. If consumers have negative experiences with, or view unfavorably, any of the companies or individuals with whom we have relationships, it could cause them to not shop with us and negatively impact our results of operations.

Our business transformation initiatives may not achieve their intended objectives, which could adversely affect our competitive position, results of operations, and financial condition.

Beginning in 2025, we began a company-wide business transformation effort to increase speed and agility across the organization in support of our strategic priorities. This initiative is intended to simplify cross-functional ways of working, increase role clarity, leverage technology (including artificial intelligence) and data to enhance decision-making, and reduce costs. These efforts have required, and may continue to require, significant changes to the day-to-day ways of working of our team members.

The success of this initiative is subject to the related risks discussed throughout this Item 1A, Risk Factors, as it is interconnected with our broader strategy and further depends on, among other things, effective execution and change management. If our execution is ineffective, if adoption by our team members is slower or more limited than expected, or if the initiative otherwise fails to adequately support our strategy, our competitive position, results of


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operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. We cannot assure that we will achieve all of the intended benefits of this initiative, including anticipated efficiencies, cost savings, or operational improvements, or that such benefits will be realized within expected timeframes.

In addition, the execution of our business transformation efforts has resulted, and may continue to result, in additional costs, including impairment of long-lived assets and costs associated with exiting certain activities or terminating commercial relationships. For example, in 2025, we recognized costs and charges related to reductions in our workforce, facility exits, and the termination of a commercial partnership.

If we are unable to successfully develop, source, and market our owned and exclusive brand products, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

If we are unable to successfully develop, source, and market our owned and exclusive brands, or if we are unable to successfully protect our related intellectual property rights, our results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, our reliance on owned and exclusive brand products may also amplify other risks discussed in this Item 1A, Risk Factors, because many of these products are imported and we are more involved in the development and sourcing of those products. For example, any failure of our owned brands to meet applicable safety standards or Target's or our guests' expectations regarding safety, quality, supply chain transparency, and responsible sourcing could expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation, result in costly product recalls and other liabilities, and exacerbate our reputational risks. In addition, owned brand products generally need longer lead times between order placement and product delivery and require us to take ownership of those products earlier in the supply chain. This requires accurate longer-term forecasting of consumer demand to effectively manage our operations, including for categories where consumer preferences may change rapidly, and exposes us to enhanced risks of supply chain disruptions and trade policy or tariff impacts. We have previously been, and may in the future be, unable to accurately predict consumer demand for our owned brand products. This has resulted, and may in the future result, in insufficient or excess inventory, increased inventory markdowns, and higher costs. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to protect against inventory shrink, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our business depends on our ability to effectively manage our inventory. We have historically experienced loss of inventory (also called shrink) due to damage, theft (including from organized retail crime), and other causes. To protect against rising inventory shrink, we have taken, and may continue to take, certain operational and strategic actions that could adversely affect our reputation, guest experience, and results of operations. In addition, sustained high rates of inventory shrink at certain stores have contributed, and may continue to contribute, to the closure of certain stores and the impairment of long-term assets.

We depend on seasonal moments and higher-margin merchandise to drive sales and net earnings growth.

Our business experiences some seasonality, with a larger portion of our sales traditionally occurring in the fourth quarter because it includes the November and December holiday sales period. In addition to the November and December holiday sales period, we also see increased sales activity during the back-to-school and back-to-college period and other seasonal moments throughout the year.

We offer our guests a multi-category assortment of everyday essentials and differentiated merchandise. However, we depend on sales of our higher-margin merchandise to drive net earnings growth. Furthermore, we are subject to cyclical trends in


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consumer spending, which may disproportionately impact sales of certain merchandise and result in lower sales for our higher-margin merchandise. Such trends have previously adversely affected, and could in the future adversely affect, our results of operations.

Our Roundel retail media network may not maintain or grow advertising revenue, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Roundel, our in-house retail media network, offers advertising services on a variety of digital platforms primarily to our merchandise vendors, either directly or via advertising agencies, and Target Plus third-party sellers to promote their products and services. The digital advertising environment is highly competitive, and our advertisers do not have long-term commitments with us.

The performance of Roundel depends on a number of factors, including the size and composition of our merchandise vendor and seller base, levels of consumer engagement with Target-branded digital platforms, and our ability to maintain effective relationships with key search and social media platforms and third-party technology providers. If our vendor or seller base shrinks, consumer traffic to our digital platforms decreases, or we are unable maintain key relationships, our advertising revenue may fail to meet expectations or may decline.

In addition, changes in data privacy laws and regulations (as discussed elsewhere in this Item 1A, Risk Factors), as well as new or modified policies of third-party platforms through which Roundel’s offerings are delivered, could negatively affect Roundel’s business model. Increased competition, including from new or enhanced technology offerings such as artificial intelligence-enabled advertising solutions, may further pressure demand for our services.

Investment and Infrastructure Risks

If our capital investments do not achieve appropriate returns or our efficiency efforts are not successful, our competitive position, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our business depends, in part, on our ability to remodel existing stores and build new stores in a manner that achieves appropriate returns on our capital investment. Pursuing the wrong remodel or new store opportunities and any delays, cost increases, or other difficulties related to those projects could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We have made, and expect to continue to make, significant investments in our technology infrastructure, digital platforms, and supply chain infrastructure. The effectiveness of these investments can be less predictable than remodeling or building new stores, and might not provide the anticipated benefits, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. For example, our stores-as-hubs strategy depends on adequate replenishment facilities to receive, store, and move inventory to stores on a timely basis. Underestimating our replenishment capacity needs could result in lower in-stock levels or increased costs for temporary storage. Conversely, overestimating replenishment capacity needs, changes in macroeconomic conditions, changes in expected project benefits, and other factors have resulted, and could in the future result, in delays or cancellations of supply chain infrastructure projects. Such delays or cancellations have resulted, and may in the future result, in the inefficient deployment of our capital relative to our expectations, including as a result of carrying costs for facilities that are not being utilized. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We rely extensively on technology systems throughout our business, including systems that we develop internally. We also rely on continued and unimpeded access to the Internet to use our technology systems. These systems are


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subject to possible damage or interruption from many events, including power and other outages, telecommunications failures, third-party failures, malicious attacks, security breaches, unplanned downtime, program transitions, and implementation errors. Any damage or disruption to our technology systems could severely interrupt our business operations, including our ability to process guest transactions and manage inventories, which could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition. We have invested, and expect to continue to invest, in maintaining and updating our technology systems, but implementing significant changes increases the risk of system disruption. Furthermore, the technology systems that we develop internally may become outdated or ineffective and may be unable to match or surpass third-party systems. Problems and interruptions associated with implementing technology initiatives could adversely affect our operational efficiency and negatively impact our guests and their confidence in us. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Information Security, Cybersecurity, and Data Privacy Risks

If our efforts to maintain information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy are unsuccessful or if we are unable to meet increasingly demanding regulatory requirements, our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

As part of our business, we receive and store information about our guests, team members, vendors, and other third parties. We also rely extensively on information systems throughout our business. We have programs in place to detect, contain, and respond to information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy incidents. However, we may be unable to anticipate security incidents, detect attacks, or implement adequate preventive measures as cyber threats continue to evolve and cyberattacks become more sophisticated and frequent, including through the introduction of viruses and malware (such as ransomware) and the use of enhanced and rapidly advancing technologies and capabilities (including artificial intelligence) by threat actors. Cyberattacks are being carried out by groups and individuals with a wide range of expertise and motives. In addition, hardware or software that we develop or obtain from third parties may contain defects that could compromise information security, cybersecurity, or data privacy. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to our information systems or facilities, or those of third parties with whom we do business, through fraud, deception, social engineering, or other bad acts. Errors or malicious actions by our team members or contractors, faulty password management, and other vulnerabilities or irregularities could also overcome our security measures or those of third parties with whom we do business and result in a compromise or breach of our or their information systems. The utilization of hybrid and remote work by our team members, vendors, independent contractors, and other third parties has amplified our already extensive reliance on computing and information systems and unimpeded Internet access. Furthermore, the training we conduct as part of our information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy efforts may not be effective in preventing or limiting successful attacks.

We and our vendors face attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to, sabotage, take control of, and corrupt, our information systems and data. As a result of these types of attempts, both we and our vendors have experienced information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy incidents. None of these incidents has recently had a material impact on our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. If we, our vendors, or other third parties with whom we do business experience additional significant information security, cybersecurity, or data privacy incidents or fail to detect and appropriately respond to significant incidents, our business operations could be severely disrupted and we could be exposed to costly government enforcement actions and private litigation. In addition, our guests could lose confidence in our ability to protect their information, stop using our Target-branded payment cards or loyalty programs, or stop shopping with us altogether. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.

The legal and regulatory environment regarding information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy is dynamic and has strict requirements, including for the use and treatment of personal information.


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Supply Chain and Third-Party Risks

Changes in our relationships with our vendors or other companies, changes in tax or trade policy, interruptions in our operations or supply chain, and increased commodity or supply chain costs could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations.

We are dependent on our vendors, independent contractors, and other third parties (including common carriers) to supply merchandise to our distribution centers, stores, and guests. In addition, we have consumer-facing relationships with a variety of other companies, including Apple, CVS, Disney, Levi’s, Starbucks, and Ulta Beauty. Any termination of, or adverse change in, our relationship with any of these companies could decrease our sales, increase our costs, and negatively impact our reputation and results of operations.

U.S. trade policy is changing rapidly and remains subject to uncertainty. In February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were not authorized by the statute. The U.S. government then imposed additional, non-IEEPA global Section 122 tariffs. Any trade disputes or further changes in tax or trade policy, including the imposition of additional tariffs or duties on imported products or changes in tariff levels, between the U.S. and countries from which we source merchandise directly or indirectly through vendors could require us to take certain actions, including raising prices on products we sell and seeking alternative sources of supply from vendors in other countries. Approximately one-half of the merchandise that we offer is sourced, directly or indirectly, from outside the U.S., with China as our single largest source of merchandise we import. In particular, U.S. tariffs imposed or threatened to be imposed on several countries in 2025, including China, India, Vietnam and Bangladesh, and any retaliatory actions taken by such countries have resulted, and could continue to result, in us incurring substantial additional costs to procure a large portion of the merchandise we offer and impact the margin rate for certain products, raising prices on certain products, and starting new vendor relationships in other countries. Many of these tariffs were imposed under IEEPA and were subsequently impacted by the February 2026 ruling, though the process, timing, and amount of any potential refund recovery for such tariffs remain uncertain. We continue to closely monitor these developments and their ultimate impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, all of which may be adversely impacted.

We also utilize a first sale declaration program, which is subject to rigorous requirements, to pay duties and tariffs to U.S. Customs for merchandise on the basis of the price paid by our vendors rather than the price paid by the importer of record. Our program may be subject to inquiries, investigations, or regulatory proceedings by U.S. Customs. The amount of duties and tariffs that we pay to import merchandise could rise substantially if the U.S. government eliminates the availability of the first sale declaration methodology, if the requirements to utilize this methodology change, or if our ability to rely on this methodology is limited or eliminated. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.


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Political or economic uncertainty or instability, trade policies, disputes, or sanctions, currency fluctuations, the outbreak of pandemics or other illnesses, labor shortages, labor unrest or strikes, transport capacity and costs, inflation, port security, weather conditions, natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, social unrest, terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, or other events that have affected, and could in the future affect, foreign trade are beyond our control. These types of events have impacted us, and could impact us in the future, including by disrupting our supply of merchandise, increasing the price and limiting the availability of raw materials, increasing our costs, and adversely affecting our results of operations. For example, there have been periodic closings and ship diversions, armed conflicts, unrest, labor disputes, and congestion disrupting railways, trucking, waterways, and ports around the world, including at major U.S. ports where we receive a significant portion of the products we source from outside the U.S. We have from time to time made alternative arrangements to continue the flow of inventory as a result of supply chain disruptions in the U.S. and other countries. If these types of events recur and impact any of the locations or modes of transportation that we depend on, it could increase our costs and adversely affect our supply of inventory. In addition, prices of fuel and other commodities on which our supply chain depends are historically volatile and subject to fluctuations based on a variety of international and domestic factors. Rapid and significant changes in commodity prices, as have occurred in recent years, could further increase our costs and adversely affect our results of operations.

If services we obtain from third parties are unavailable, fail to meet our standards, or increase in cost, our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

If we are unable to contract with third parties having the specialized skills needed to support our operations (including as a result of any labor disputes or labor unavailability at such third parties), if any third-party services are interrupted, or if they fail to meet our performance standards, then our reputation and results of operations could be adversely affected.

In addition, we incur significant expenses related to our reliance on services from third parties. If we are unable to effectively manage these costs or if we face significant increases in any of these costs, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. In particular, for certain payment methods, including credit and debit cards, we generally pay interchange fees and other processing fees. Given the continued adoption of credit and debit cards by consumers, we have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, significant costs as a result of these fees. Any increase in these fees over time could significantly increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Legal, Regulatory, Global, and Other External Risks

Our earnings depend on the state of macroeconomic conditions and consumer confidence and spending in the U.S.

Nearly all of our sales are in the U.S., making our results highly dependent on the health of the U.S. economy and U.S. consumer behavior, confidence, and spending, which can be affected by a variety of factors, including inflation, interest rates, housing prices, unemployment rates, legal and regulatory actions, immigration policies and trends, household debt and wage levels, credit usage, and crime rates. In addition, the interconnected nature of the global economy means that events occurring domestically or internationally, such as geopolitical conflicts, social unrest, terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, public health crises, legal and regulatory actions, immigration policies and trends, energy availability, trade policies, disputes, or sanctions, and market volatility can all affect macroeconomic conditions in the U.S. A deterioration in U.S. macroeconomic conditions or consumer confidence or spending could adversely affect our business in many ways, such as negatively impacting consumer demand (which may disproportionately affect demand for certain merchandise), reducing sales (including our credit card profit-sharing revenue), reducing gross margins, and increasing our expenses, each of which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.


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Uncharacteristic or significant weather conditions or natural disasters, the impacts of a changing climate, and other catastrophic events could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Uncharacteristic or significant weather conditions, including the physical impacts of a changing climate, and other catastrophic events can affect consumer shopping patterns, particularly in apparel and seasonal items, which could lead to lower sales or greater than expected markdowns and adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, we have significant operations in certain states where natural disasters (including hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, fires, and earthquakes) are more prevalent. Natural disasters in those states or in other areas where we operate has previously resulted, and could in the future result, in significant physical damage to, or closure of, one or more of our stores, distribution centers, facilities, or key vendors. Furthermore, weather conditions, natural disasters, and other catastrophic events in areas where we or our vendors operate, or depend upon for continued operations, have adversely affected, and could in the future adversely affect, the availability and cost of certain products within our supply chain, consumer purchasing power, and consumer demand. Any of these events could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The potential impacts of a changing climate may be widespread and unpredictable and present a variety of risks in the short-term and long-term. In addition to physical risks, the potential impacts of a changing climate also present transition risks, including regulatory and reputational risks. For example, we use commodities and energy inputs in our operations that may face increased regulation due to a changing climate or other environmental concerns, which could increase our costs. Furthermore, our establishment and continuation of our goals and initiatives to create a more resilient business, or any modification, conclusion, failure, or perceived failure by us to achieve them, or to otherwise meet evolving, varied, and sometimes conflicting expectations from our shareholders, guests, team members, vendors, and other third parties (including governmental entities and officials and non-governmental organizations) regarding the environment and our goals and initiatives to create a more resilient business, could lead to adverse perceptions of our business, consumer boycotts, litigation, investigations, and regulatory proceedings. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.


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We rely on a large, global, and changing workforce of team members, contractors, and temporary staffing. If we do not effectively manage our workforce, our labor costs and results of operations could be adversely affected.

With over 400,000 team members, our workforce costs represent our largest operating expense, and our business is dependent on our ability to attract, train, and retain the appropriate mix of qualified team members, contractors, and temporary staffing. Many team members are in entry-level or part-time positions with high turnover rates historically. In addition, the continuous advancements in automation and artificial intelligence capabilities will continue to impact the skills required in our workforce, and our recruiting and training needs must evolve to maintain pace. Our ability to meet our changing labor needs while controlling our costs is subject to external factors such as labor laws and regulations, labor availability, unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, benefit costs, changing demographics, immigration laws and regulations, and our reputation within the labor market. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition. We are periodically subject to labor organizing efforts and activism, which could negatively impact how we are perceived by team members and our overall reputation. If we become subject to one or more collective bargaining agreements in the future, it could adversely affect our labor costs, how we operate our business, and our results of operations. In addition to our U.S. operations, we perform additional administrative functions in Bangalore, India, and perform global sourcing operations from offices in 12 countries, predominantly in Asia and Central America, and any extended disruption of our operations in our different locations, whether due to labor difficulties or otherwise, could adversely affect our results of operations. In particular, we rely on our administrative functions in India for various business operations and any events that negatively impact the availability or effectiveness of our administrative functions in India, including political or economic uncertainty or instability, the outbreak of pandemics or other illnesses, labor shortages, labor unrest or strikes, weather conditions, natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, social unrest, terrorist attacks, and armed conflicts, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Shareholder activism could adversely affect our business, strategic execution, and stock price.

We regularly engage with shareholders with a goal of strengthening our business. From time to time, shareholders may pursue public or private campaigns to influence our corporate strategy, capital allocation, or environmental, political, social, and governance matters. Any such activist campaigns, including rumors of such campaigns, could result in increased costs, including legal expenses, and diversion of management and board attention. These risks could adversely impact our reputation, ability to execute on strategic objectives, results of operations, and financial condition.

Failure to address product safety and sourcing concerns could adversely affect our results of operations.

If any of our merchandise offerings do not meet applicable safety standards or Target’s or our guests’ expectations regarding safety, supply chain transparency, and responsible sourcing, we could be exposed to legal and reputational risks and our results of operations could be adversely affected. Our vendors and third-party sellers must comply with applicable product safety laws, and we are dependent on them to ensure that the products we buy or offer, respectively, comply with all safety standards. Events that give rise to actual or perceived product safety concerns, including food or drug contamination and product defects, could expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation and result in costly product recalls and other liabilities. Our sourcing vendors, including any third parties selling through our digital channels, must also meet our expectations and comply with applicable laws and regulations across multiple areas of social compliance, including supply chain transparency and responsible sourcing. Negative guest perceptions regarding the safety and sourcing of the products we sell could harm our reputation and adversely affect our results of operations.


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Our failure to comply with applicable laws, or changes in these laws, could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.

Our expenses could increase and our operations could be adversely affected by changes in law or adverse judicial developments involving our workforce, including an employer’s obligation to recognize collective bargaining units, minimum wage requirements, advance scheduling notice requirements, health care or other mandates, the classification of exempt and non-exempt employees, and the classification of workers as either employees or independent contractors. The classification of workers as employees or independent contractors, in particular, is an area that has experienced legal challenges and legislative changes. Our Shipt subsidiary, which facilitates delivery services (including same-day delivery to our guests), has faced, and continues to face, legal challenges to its worker classification. If, as a result of judicial decisions or legislation, Shipt is required to treat its network of independent contractors as employees, we may experience higher digital fulfillment costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in the environment may occur rapidly. Furthermore, if we fail to comply with other applicable laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws, anti-money laundering laws, import restrictions, responsible sourcing laws, and sanctions programs, we could be subject to legal and reputational risks, including government enforcement actions and private litigation, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Litigation and other legal proceedings may adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.

We are regularly involved in a variety of legal proceedings, including litigation, arbitration, claims, investigations, and inquiries. The frequency of any such proceedings could increase in the future. These proceedings relate to a wide range of matters, including commercial disputes, employment, environmental, social, and governance matters, intellectual property rights, personal injury, shareholder actions, securities claims, and matters relating to our compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These matters are inherently uncertain, and we may not be successful in defending ourselves. Determining applicable reserves and possible losses related to such matters involves judgment and may not reflect the full range of uncertainties and unpredictable outcomes. In addition, our assessment of the materiality and likely outcome of these matters may not be consistent with the ultimate outcome of such matters. Responding to these matters has required, and may in the future require, us to devote significant resources and incur significant expenses, even for those that are non-meritorious, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Any of these proceedings could also generate negative publicity that adversely affects our reputation.


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Financial Risks

Increases in our effective income tax rate could adversely affect our results of operations.

Changes in any of those factors could change our effective tax rate, which could adversely affect our net earnings. In addition, changes in our operations both in and outside of the U.S. may cause greater volatility in our effective tax rate. Furthermore, we are subject to regular reviews and ongoing audits by both domestic and international tax authorities. For example, the IRS is auditing certain aspects of our intercompany transfer pricing for fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Although we believe our tax positions and estimates are reasonable and we review and maintain adequate reserves, the ultimate tax outcome could differ significantly from our recorded tax amounts and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to access the capital markets or obtain bank credit, our financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

We are dependent on a stable, liquid, and well-functioning financial system to fund our operations and capital investments. Our continued access to financial markets depends on multiple factors including the condition of debt capital markets, the condition of the banking sector, our operating performance, and our credit ratings. If rating agencies lower our credit ratings, it could adversely affect our ability to access the debt markets, our cost of funds, and other terms for new debt issuances and borrowings. Each of the credit rating agencies reviews its rating periodically, and there is no guarantee that our current credit ratings will remain the same. In addition, we use a variety of derivative products to manage our exposure to market risk, principally interest rate fluctuations. Disruptions or turmoil in the financial markets could reduce our ability to fund our operations and capital investments and lead to losses on derivative positions from counterparty failures, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to achieve our projected results or otherwise fail to meet market expectations regarding our financial performance, the price of our stock could be volatile or adversely affected.

Our results of operations have previously fluctuated from quarter to quarter, sometimes significantly, and may do so again in the future. If we fail to achieve our projected results, if our guidance is not aligned with market expectations, if we modify our guidance, if we modify our share repurchase program or our approach to dividend distributions, or if we fail to meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, our stock price may decline (as it has at times in recent years), and the decrease in the stock price may be disproportionate to any shortfall in our financial performance. Additionally, factors such as performance results for our competitors and news or announcements by us, our competitors, and other third parties (including governmental entities and officials and non-governmental organizations) may result in a decline and volatility in our stock price.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.


TARGET CORPORATION						2025 Form 10-K			20

Item 1C. Cybersecurity.

Set forth below is information regarding our cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance, along with a related description of our information security and data privacy practices.

Securing company systems, business information, and personal information of our guests, team members, vendors, and other third parties is important to us. We have systems in place to:

•safely receive, protect, and store that information;

•collect, use, and share that information appropriately; and

•detect, contain, and respond to information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy incidents.

While everyone at Target plays a part in information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy, oversight responsibility is shared by our Board of Directors, its committees, and management.

Our program and practices regarding information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy include the following:

•Audit & Risk Committee and Board of Directors updates. To inform and educate the Audit & Risk Committee in its primary oversight responsibility for information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy, management provides updates on these topics. For example, the Chief Information Security Officer addresses information security risks and controls, cyber threats, and other program updates, and senior members of the risk team provide enterprise risk management program updates. In addition, the Board of Directors receives updates from management regarding Target’s overall risks, which include risks related to these topics.

•Integration into enterprise risk management program. By aligning the identification, assessment, and management of risks related to information security, cybersecurity, and data privacy with our overall approach to risk oversight by the Board of Directors, its committees, and management, we have integrated these practices into our enterprise risk management program.

•Management expertise. Our Chief Information and Product Officer leads the strategic direction and management of Target’s product and engineering teams. He is responsible for Target’s enterprise technology systems and oversees Target’s cybersecurity, data platforms, data science, infrastructure, product engineering, and enterprise product teams. He previously served as Target's Chief Digital and Product Officer and held a variety of leadership roles in enterprise technology and product management prior to joining Target. He has developed significant knowledge and skills regarding enterprise technology systems, including cybersecurity. She champions a strong security culture both internally and externally and contributes to the broader cybersecurity community by serving in several advisory roles and promoting industry collaboration, best-practice sharing, and talent development.


TARGET CORPORATION						2025 Form 10-K			21

•Systems and processes. We use a combination of industry-leading tools and in-house technologies to protect Target and our guests, operate a proactive threat intelligence program to identify and assess risks, including from threats associated with our use of third-party service providers, and we run a cyber fusion center to investigate and respond to threats. Our program is based on recognized industry security standards and control frameworks, which we seek to validate through internal and independent assessments. Our cybersecurity team regularly tests our controls through penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and attack simulation. In addition, we have an incident response program to address potential security and privacy incidents. As part of this incident response program, members of management are informed about and monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of potential security and privacy incidents. The program uses a coordinated escalation model to provide information to, and engage with, relevant members of management and the Board of Directors, as needed, throughout the incident response process.

•Understanding evolving threats in the industry and with our suppliers. Our cybersecurity and data privacy teams work to understand evolving threats, developing issues, and industry trends, and our vendor teams monitor and assess risks with our suppliers.

•Collaboration with organizations across different industries. We share threat intelligence and collaborate with organizations across different industries to share best practices, fight cybercrime, enhance privacy, discuss new technologies, better understand the evolving regulatory environment, and advance capabilities in these areas.

•Investment, training, and development of our cybersecurity and data privacy teams. We invest in building and developing cybersecurity talent and engineering expertise, using both in-house and external resources rather than relying solely on third-party providers. Our training model combines internal subject matter expertise with curated external resources.

•Regular training and compliance activities for our team members. We also offer ongoing practice and education for team members to recognize and report suspicious activity.

•Use of third parties. Beyond our in-house capabilities we engage with leading security and technology vendors to assess our information security and cybersecurity program and test our technical capabilities.

•Insurance coverage. We maintain insurance coverage intended to limit our exposure to certain network security and privacy matters.

See “Information Security, Cybersecurity, and Data Privacy Risks” in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors for additional information regarding risks from cybersecurity threats.


TARGET CORPORATION						2025 Form 10-K			22

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