Target Plans $1 Billion Investment to Enhance the In-Store Customer Experience and Loyalty Programs
Target announced plans to invest $1 billion in 2026 to enhance the overall guest experience, with a focus on improving both its stores and digital engagement. Speaking to investors during the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, CEO Michael Fiddelke said the initiative will include expanding personalized rewards through the Target Circle loyalty program and reorganizing store operations. The retailer has already seen strong engagement with personalized games and offers within Target Circle and plans to further develop tailored rewards later this year.
While Target continues to see growth in digital channels, company leaders acknowledged that the in-store experience has become inconsistent. Chief Merchandising Officer Cara Sylvester noted that shoppers have reported issues such as cluttered aisles, out-of-stock products, and interactions that feel overly transactional.
To address these concerns, Target is piloting improvements in select departments, including enhanced service models in beauty and curated discovery zones in baby sections. Target also plans to introduce AI tools to streamline store operations, allowing employees to spend more time assisting customers and creating a more personalized shopping experience. Meanwhile, same-day delivery services remain a bright spot, generating more than $14 billion in sales in 2025 and accounting for two-thirds of digital revenue. Loyalty programs are also driving strong engagement, with Target Circle members spending significantly more than non-members.
Fiddelke said, “Delight is our standard. That means getting the basics right–sharp pricing, strong in-stocks, wicked-fast same-day delivery–yet our bar is higher. We want to spark an emotional connection.”
Learn about Target’s strategy for 2026 here.
Casey’s Launches Campaign to Provide 10 Million Meals to Communities in Need
Casey’s has launched its annual giving campaign to fight hunger across the communities it serves. In partnership with Feeding America and DoorDash, the company is working to help provide 10 million meals to local food banks. The initiative will support 61 Feeding America partner food banks located throughout Casey’s operating footprint.
Casey’s COO Ena Williams said, “Hunger continues to affect far too many people, especially in the rural communities that Casey’s proudly serves and calls home. When our guests, team members, and partners come together to support the incredible work of Feeding America’s network of local food banks, we can make a real difference for those who need it most.”
Data from Feeding America shows that one in seven people in the U.S., including one in five children, currently experiences food insecurity, the highest rate reported since 2014. Customers can help put a dent in these statistics by rounding up their purchases in-store, adding a donation to online orders, or placing deliveries through DoorDash, which will contribute the monetary equivalent of one meal for every Casey’s delivery order, up to 300,000 meals.
Learn more about Feeding America here.
Del Taco Launches “Project Sunrise” to Enhance Customer Engagement
Del Taco has introduced a new turnaround strategy just two and a half months after being sold, outlining a plan to revive the brand and reconnect with customers. The initiative, called “Project Sunrise,” was unveiled by new owner Yadav Enterprises, which acquired the chain from Jack in the Box for $115 million. The 18-month strategy focuses on improving food and beverage quality, driving menu innovation, expanding catering, and strengthening the company’s loyalty program in an effort to rebuild sales and customer engagement.
Yadav Enterprises CEO Anil Yadav said, “Project Sunrise is about getting back to what makes Del Taco special and positioning the brand for future growth with a roadmap that gives us the focus and accountability to deliver to guests a new brand promise, while strengthening our foundation and creating meaningful momentum for a successful and sustainable future.”
A key part of the plan centers on returning to menu items and preparation methods that longtime customers favor. Del Taco has reintroduced its Classic Burrito line using the original recipes, including the Del Combo Burrito, Del Classic Chicken Burrito, Del Beef Burrito, and the 8 Layer Veggie Burrito. Each item weighs more than half a pound and reflects a return to traditional preparation techniques, such as the brand’s open-end burrito fold. To encourage customers to try the revamped offerings, loyalty members can purchase a $6 combo featuring a Classic Burrito, fries, and a drink through March 15. The company is also bringing back its fan-favorite Jack’d Up menu, featuring items like the Spicy Jack Quesadilla and Jack’d Up Bean, Rice & Cheese Burrito. The transformation comes as Del Taco seeks to reverse declining sales and stabilize operations.Same-store sales fell 3.9% in the company’s most recent fiscal quarter, while systemwide sales dropped 5.4%.
Original Article Links:
Target plans $1B investment in the guest experience for 2026
Casey’s Partners with DoorDash to Drive Hunger Relief by Helping Provide 10 Million Meals* through Annual Feeding America Campaign
Under New Ownership, Del Taco Rolls Out Recovery Plan Focused on Menu, Innovation, and Loyalty