MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Target Corp. is laying off 80 employees who deal with real estate as the Minneapolis-based discounter opens or remodels fewer stores.

In a statement Wednesday, Target said it has decided to centralize its architecture, construction, engineering and facilities management teams.

Target is eliminating about 80 positions nationwide and closing an additional 40 open positions.

In recent years, Target has reduced the number of big-box stores it opens annually in the United States in favor of a greater emphasis on online sales and a growing roster of smaller-footprint stores.

Target also is scaling down its expansion into Canada and has completed the P-Fresh remodeling program that added fresh groceries to nearly all of its traditional Target stores.

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