Target's chief food, essentials and beauty officer on innovation in the grocery aisle

NEW YORK (AP) — Target has revamped its grocery aisles since the COVID-19 pandemic with items ranging from Korean foods and mocktails to barbecue-flavored trail mix as the discount retailer caters to shoppers who want to experiment while sticking to a budget.

Like many retailers, Target noticed that some habits its customers acquired during the height of the public health crisis, such as snacking and an interest in new flavors, have outlasted the pandemic. But the inflation that drove up food prices last year, though abating, still has shoppers looking for ways to stretch their dollars.

Under Rick Gomez, Target’s chief food, essentials and beauty officer, the Minneapolis-based retailer plans to introduce up to 2,000 new food and beverage items this year. The number includes products in its store label brands - Good & Gather, Market Pantry and Favorite Day - and from national and emerging brands.