Target ($TGT) is starting to look a little bit more like Wal-Mart. Or, Amazon. 

OR - all three are starting to see their business lines blend over into one another's, as brick-and-mortar retailers look to out-web e-commerce stalwarts and as they all look to siphon revenue from the legacy grocery industry - which is increasingly ripe for disruption as well. 

But, right now, as Target's ($TGT) earnings loom, there could be questions - starting with its hiring plans. 

Target's hiring plans seem to have taken an unseasonal dip - compared to 2018, at least - and it comes after a quarter where the retailer crushed earnings expectations and saw stock soar. Job postings for the company fell nearly 19% - and comes after the company's surprise hiring spree in part contributed to a big beat for Q1 earnings, as it added more employees to handle curb-side pickup. 

What's worth watching, is if - or when - Target starts staffing up again to support of its private label food brand, Good & Gather, set to launch next year. 

The good news in Target's data is reflecting an increase in store count, which could also lead to growth on revenue. Although it's just an increase of 1.66%, seeing Target load more stores onto its map - and seeing it do so as the busiest part of the shopping season is about to begin - is certainly a positive long-term indicator. 

We can also map stores out globally - and here we can see Target's footprint continuing to expand, over time. 

About the Data: 

Thinknum tracks companies using information they post online - jobs, social and web traffic, product sales and app ratings - and creates data sets that measure factors like hiring, revenue and foot traffic. Data sets may not be fully comprehensive (they only account for what is available on the web), but they can be used to gauge performance factors like staffing and sales. 

Further Reading: 

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