Up to 180 jobs to be slashed as Target announces shut down of Geelong headquarters

Target has confirmed it will be moving its Geelong headquarters, with 180 jobs set to be cut.

The operations centre in Geelong employs 900 people. Remaining jobs will reportedly be relocated to a new facility in Melbourne’s west, the ABC reported.

The move ends Target’s 90-year association with Geelong, where the company’s first ever store opened in 1926.

It is also another blow to the region, following the recent exit of Ford and Alcoa.

While the unemployment rate in Geelong is similar to the national average of about six percent, it is closer to 20 percent in nearby suburbs of Corio and Norlane.