Target Corp. is cutting 550 jobs in Minnesota and another 170 in India as it winds down operations related to its ill-fated expansion to Canada.

The Minnesota positions are all headquarters jobs, with 350 being eliminated today, according to a statement by the Minneapolis-based retailer. The remaining workers will be cut after the Canadian stores 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 said in a statement.

Target's Canada liquidation began in early February and will wrap up in May.

All employees will remain on the payroll for at least 60 days, the company said. Comprehensive severance packages are being given to employees based on years of service. Outplacement support will also be provided.

Target (NYSE: TGT) will keep paying its portion of benefits coverage for the next six months.

When Target announced last month that it was closing all 133 stores in Canada, it said some 17,600 workers would lose their jobs in that country. But it also confirmed thathundreds of employees in the Twin Cities who supported Target Canada would be affected.

Target lays off hundreds at home in retreat from Canada

Nick HalterStaff reporter-Minneapolis / St. Paul Business JournalFeb 11, 2015, 9:33am CST UPDATED: Feb 11, 2015, 9:43am CSThttp://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2015/02/11/target-cutting-550-jobs-minnesota-layoffs.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: bizj_twincities (Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal)&utm_content=FaceBook