Target Corp. has a problem in its grocery aisles: Shoppers aren’t visiting often enough to buy the retailer’s fresh meat, fruits and vegetables before they spoil.

Perishable foods, which usually are the big traffic drivers at most grocery stores, have been a drag on Target’s profits, according to people familiar with the matter. And in May, Target said customers were making fewer trips for smaller purchases. “We have seen some trip erosion with guests coming in for that fill-in trip,” CEO Brian Cornell said on a conference call