Report: Target lays off 550 headquarters employees as it exits Canada

New York -- Target Corp. plans to lay off about 550 headquarters employees as the company winds down its Canadian operations, the Star Tribune reported Wednesday. The retailer is also eliminating 170 positions at its tech operations in India that supported the Canadian venture.



About 350 of the headquarters job are being eliminated Wednesday, with the remaining employees to be let go after Target’s stores in Canada are liquidated.



"This is a difficult day for the Target team but we continue to believe that the steps we are taking are the right ones for the company," Target spokeswoman Katie Boylan told the Star Tribune in a statement.



Target said the laid-off employees will remain on the payroll for at least 60 days and “comprehensive” severance packages will be given out based on their years of service, the report said. The company also said it will pay the employer portion of their benefits for the next six months.