The retailer’s board believes a company veteran can promote much needed change. Now, Michael Fiddelke has to prove himself to others.

Target promoted insider Michael Fiddelke on Wednesday as its new CEO to turn around the struggling retailer after a series of challenges over recent years that caused its shares to vastly lag those of its peers.

In addition to announcing its Q2 2025 results, Target also revealed that it would be getting a new CEO. The company announced that its current CEO, Brian Cornell, will be stepping down from the role in February 2026. On February 1, its new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, will take the reins. Cornell has been Target’s CEO since 2014.

Good morning. There’s more executive turnover in the Fortune 500. Target CEO Brian Cornell is stepping down, and Michael Fiddelke, chief operating officer (COO), will become chief executive on Feb. 1, 2026. Cornell has led Target for 11 years.

Fiddelke, an Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate, has been with Target since 2003, starting as an intern. Investors reacted negatively to the appointment, causing Target's shares to drop over 6%. An Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate will be the new top executive of Target, one of the nation's largest retail chains.

Target Corp. is leading the S&P 500 index’s decliners after the discount retailer announced that Chief Executive Brian Cornell is stepping down next year, to be replaced by the company’s Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke.