Amidst Fierce Competition, Target Is Unlikely to Recover Soon

Bricks-and-mortar, retail giant Target Corp has seen its shares plummet about 24% year to date year-to-date, under-performing rivals like Wal-Mart and Costco , and even minnows such as Dollar Tree and Dollar General . Despite the company’s intent to focus more on digital commerce , doubts remain surrounding the company’s strategy for reviving earnings .

Target Slims Down After Less Than Festive Holiday Season

It looks like Target will join the growing list of retailers opting to slim down a bit after a tepid holiday shopping season. Target has canceled Goldfish, an e-commerce start-up launched a year ago, and has killed a prototype for a robot infested store of the future that was scheduled to soon be constructed in Silicon Valley, according to report Wednesday afternoon by Star Tribune .

Target to Push Chemical Transparency in Sustainable “Better-For-You” Products Push

Target on Wednesday, Jan. 25, unveiled its new policy on “transparency, proactive chemical management and innovation,” including eliminating PFCs and other chemicals from its products and full disclosure of the chemical ingredients its stores stock. Target’s new chemical strategy is “a first in the retail industry” in that it “addresses our entire value chain, operations and every product we sell,” the company said in a blog post, including both its own branded products and other brands stocked in stores.

Better Buy: Target Corporation vs. Home Depot Inc.

But the similarities don’t end there: They are also both big-box retailers that many retirees consider investing in given their dividend payments and lengthy operating histories. But which stock is the better buy today? There’s no way to answer that question with 100% certainty, but there are three different approaches you can take, and each will help you make a more informed decision for your own retirement portfolio.