Who is Target's current CEO and who chairs its board?
Michael Fiddelke became Target's CEO on February 1, 2026, succeeding Brian Cornell. Cornell moved to executive chair of Target's board on the same date; CEO and board chair are separate roles.
SourceWhat was Brian Cornell's executive background before joining Target?
Cornell graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He built a distinguished retail career, serving as CEO of PepsiCo Americas Foods, CEO of Sam's Club (Walmart), CEO of Michaels, and Executive Vice President at Safeway.
Who was George Draper Dayton and how did he lead the early company (1902–1938)?
George Draper Dayton was the founding patriarch who purchased Goodfellow's dry goods store in downtown Minneapolis in 1902, renaming it Dayton Dry Goods Company. Known for strict Presbyterian ethics, fair pricing, and community philanthropy, he established the company's high standards of business integrity.
Who was Douglas Dayton and what was his role in creating Target?
Douglas Dayton, grandson of George Draper Dayton, was appointed the first President of Target Stores in 1962. Douglas championed the discount store format, convincing the family department store board to fund the Roseville store and setting the foundation for the mass discount chain.
Who was Bob Ulrich and how did he build Target into a retail powerhouse (1994–2008)?
Bob Ulrich served as Chairman and CEO of Target from 1994 to 2008. Ulrich orchestrated Target's explosive nationwide store expansion, cultivated the iconic "Tar-zhay" cheap-chic design image, divested department stores, and grew annual revenues from $15B to over $63 billion.
Why did CEO Gregg Steinhafel resign from Target in May 2014?
Gregg Steinhafel served as CEO from 2008 to 2014. He was forced to resign following back-to-back crises: the devastating Thanksgiving 2013 cybersecurity data breach compromising 70 million customers, and the catastrophic multi-billion-dollar operational failure of Target Canada.
How did Brian Cornell handle the Target Canada crisis immediately upon taking office?
Just months after becoming CEO in late 2014, Cornell made the bold decision to cut losses and completely exit Canada in January 2015, shutting down all 133 stores and taking a $5.4B write-down, refocusing 100% of executive energy and capital on fixing the core U.S. business.
What was Brian Cornell's historic $7 billion capital reinvestment gamble in 2017?
In early 2017, when Wall Street urged retailers to close stores to mimic Amazon, Cornell shocked analysts by announcing a $7 billion investment to remodel stores, raise worker wages, and use stores as digital fulfillment hubs. The strategy paid off massively, driving record revenue and market share gains.
What awards and recognitions has Brian Cornell earned during his tenure?
Cornell was named "Retailer of the Year" by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and named "Businessperson of the Year" by CNN and Fortune, praised for navigating Target through the pandemic and transforming it into a digital commerce leader.
What roles did Michael Fiddelke hold before becoming Target CEO?
Fiddelke held leadership roles in Target's merchandising, finance, operations and human resources functions. He served as CFO and then COO before becoming CEO in February 2026.
SourceWhen did Brian Cornell stop serving as Target CEO?
Brian Cornell's CEO tenure ended on January 31, 2026. Michael Fiddelke succeeded him on February 1, 2026, and Cornell became executive chair of the board.
SourceWhat is Brian Cornell's long-term legacy at Target Corporation?
Cornell will be remembered as the visionary leader who rescued Target from crisis, proved that physical brick-and-mortar stores are ultimate digital fulfillment assets, scaled iconic private brands, and established Target as an indispensable American shopping destination.