Target CEO – Brian Cornell (Age – 66)

UPDATE: Brian Cornell served as Chairman & CEO of Target from August 2014 to February 2026. He now serves as Executive Chairman. The current CEO is Michael Fiddelke (since February 1, 2026). Michael Fiddelke — Salary, Age, Email & Net Worth →

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT), one of America’s largest general merchandise retailers with nearly 2,000 stores and 440,000 employees, was led for over a decade by Brian Cornell. Appointed Chairman and CEO in August 2014 — the first outsider CEO in Target’s history — Cornell transformed the Minneapolis-based retailer through a $7 billion investment in stores, supply chain, and digital capabilities. Under his leadership, Target grew annual revenue from $73 billion to over $106 billion, launched same-day fulfillment services, and introduced popular owned brands like Good & Gather and All in Motion. In February 2026, Cornell transitioned to Executive Chairman as Michael Fiddelke succeeded him as CEO.

Read on to discover Target CEO Brian Cornell’s email address, net worth in 2026, salary and compensation, career history, wife & family, and more.
Brian Cornell Target CEO
Brian Cornell, former Chairman & CEO of Target Corporation • Photo: Target Corporation

Brian Cornell – Quick Facts

Brian Cornell — At a Glance
Full Name Brian C. Cornell
Position Executive Chairman of the Board (formerly Chairman & CEO)
Company Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT)
Age 66–67 years (born 1959)
Education B.A., UCLA; UCLA Anderson School of Management
Net Worth (2026) $80–100 Million (estimated)
Total Compensation (FY2024) $20.4 Million
CEO Tenure August 2014 – February 2026
Previous Role CEO, PepsiCo Americas Foods
Email [email protected]
Headquarters 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Target Corporation Competitors

Target Corporation operates in the fiercely competitive mass merchandise and general retail sector. The key competitors of Target include:

  • Walmart (NYSE: WMT) — the world’s largest retailer by revenue
  • Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) — dominant e-commerce and omnichannel rival
  • Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) — membership-based warehouse club
  • Kroger (NYSE: KR) — largest U.S. supermarket chain
  • The TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) — off-price retail (T.J. Maxx, Marshalls)
  • Dollar General (NYSE: DG) — value-oriented discount retailer
  • Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) — consumer electronics competitor
  • Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) — department store competing in apparel and home

Brian Cornell Net Worth 2026 – Target CEO Salary

As of 2026, Brian Cornell’s net worth is estimated at approximately $80–100 million USD, based on his accumulated stock holdings, vested equity awards, and over a decade of compensation as Target’s top executive. According to SEC filings, Cornell directly owned approximately 353,848 shares of Target stock as of May 2025, valued at over $40 million. His total net worth also reflects previously vested and sold stock awards, cash savings, and other investments accumulated across a 30+ year executive career.

Target CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2024)

Component Amount (USD) Share
Base Salary $1,400,000 6.9%
Bonus $785,400 3.8%
Stock Awards $16,087,492 78.8%
Non-Equity Incentive Plan $1,538,320 7.5%
All Other Compensation $596,391 2.9%
TOTAL $20,407,603 100%
Key Insight: Over 93% of Brian Cornell’s FY2024 compensation was performance-based (stock awards + incentive plans), with only 6.9% from base salary. His total pay rose 6.3% year-over-year, driven by higher stock award values. Cornell’s compensation was 719 times the median Target employee pay of $26,696.

Target Net Worth 2026 – Is Target Profitable?

Yes, Target Corporation is a profitable company. Under Brian Cornell’s leadership, Target grew into a retail powerhouse with a market capitalization of approximately $54 billion as of February 2026. The company reported full-year fiscal 2024 net income of $4.09 billion on revenue of $106.6 billion.

Target Corporation Financial Summary (FY2024)

Metric Value YoY Change
Market Capitalization ~$54B
Net Sales $106.6B ▲ ~1% (52-wk basis)
Net Income $4.09B ▼ 1.1%
Operating Income $5.57B ▼ 2.5%
Gross Margin Rate 28.2% ▲ 70 bps
Diluted EPS $8.86 ▲ ~3% (52-wk basis)
Employees ~440,000 ▲ 6%
NYSE Ticker TGT
Cornell’s Legacy in Numbers: During his 11-year tenure as CEO, Target’s annual revenue grew from $73 billion to over $106 billion. The company’s gross margin improved to 28.2%, and five-year revenue CAGR stood at 6.4%. Target stock traded at approximately $117 per share in February 2026, giving the company a market cap near $54 billion.

Target CEO Email Address | Brian Cornell Contact

Below are the official contact details and corporate information for Brian Cornell at Target Corporation:

Contact Information
Email Address [email protected]
Twitter/X @Target (official company account)
LinkedIn Brian Cornell — Executive Chairman, Target Corporation
Corporate HQ 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
HQ Phone +1 (612) 304-6073
Customer Service 1-800-440-0680
Press Inquiries [email protected]

Career & Education – Company, University, & College

Brian Cornell’s career spans more than three decades in leadership positions at some of America’s largest retail and consumer products companies. He has served as CEO at four major corporations before joining Target, bringing deep expertise in retail operations, brand management, and consumer strategy.

Brian Cornell Career Timeline

Period Role Company
Early career Various leadership roles PepsiCo / Tropicana
Various Board of Directors The Home Depot
2004–2007 CMO & Executive Vice President Safeway Inc.
2007–2009 Chief Executive Officer Michaels Stores
2009–2012 CEO & President Sam’s Club (Walmart)
2012–2014 CEO, PepsiCo Americas Foods PepsiCo, Inc.
2014–2026 Chairman & CEO (now Executive Chairman) Target Corporation

Brian Cornell began his career at PepsiCo, where he rose through the ranks at Tropicana and eventually became President after PepsiCo acquired the juice brand in 1998. He also served on the Board of Directors at The Home Depot and held leadership positions at Yum! Brands.

In 2004, Cornell joined Safeway Inc. as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, overseeing the supermarket chain’s brand and marketing strategy. He then moved to Michaels Stores as CEO from 2007 to 2009, before being tapped to lead Sam’s Club, Walmart’s warehouse division, as CEO and President from 2009 to 2012.

Cornell returned to PepsiCo in 2012 as CEO of PepsiCo Americas Foods, overseeing the company’s Frito-Lay, Quaker, and Latin American food businesses. In August 2014, Target’s board appointed him Chairman and CEO — the first external hire in the company’s history — to lead the retailer’s turnaround following a massive data breach and the failed Target Canada expansion.

Education

University Degree / Program Website
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bachelor of Arts (Class of 1981) ucla.edu
UCLA Anderson School of Management Advanced Management Program (1991) anderson.ucla.edu

Brian Cornell Wiki – Age, Wife, Family, & More

Brian C. Cornell (age 66–67) was born in 1959 in Queens, New York City. He grew up in humble circumstances — his father passed away when Brian was only six years old, and his mother, who suffered from heart disease, relied on welfare to raise him. His maternal grandparents played a significant role in his upbringing. Despite these challenges, Cornell developed a strong work ethic that would propel him to the top of corporate America.

Brian is married to Martha (Lora) Cornell, whom he met while attending UCLA in the early 1980s. The couple has two children: a son, Jonathan (J.C.), who married Allison Nase in November 2016, and a daughter, Megan, who resides in Westport, Connecticut.

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

  • CNN Business CEO of the Year (2019) — recognized for Target’s transformation under his leadership
  • NRF Visionary Award (2022) — the National Retail Federation’s top honor for retail industry leadership
  • First Outside CEO in Target History — appointed in 2014, breaking with tradition
  • Business Roundtable Chairman (2024) — led the influential CEO advocacy group
  • $7 Billion Store Reinvention — oversaw Target’s massive investment in stores, digital, and supply chain
  • Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) — served as Chair of the Board of Directors

Cornell is known for his decisive leadership style, including shutting down the unprofitable Target Canada operations shortly after becoming CEO. He championed Target’s private-label brand strategy, launching over 10 new owned brands including Good & Gather, All in Motion, and Threshold.

About Target Corporation

Target Corporation is an American retail corporation headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1902 as Dayton’s Dry Goods Company, the company opened its first Target discount store in 1962 in Roseville, Minnesota. Today, Target is the seventh-largest retailer in the United States, known for its “cheap chic” positioning that combines affordable prices with trendy, design-forward merchandise.

Category % of Sales Description
Food & Beverage 23% Grocery, snacks, beverages (incl. Good & Gather)
Household Essentials 18% Cleaning, paper products, health & personal care
Apparel & Accessories 16% Clothing, shoes, jewelry (incl. All in Motion)
Home Furnishings & Décor 16% Furniture, kitchenware, seasonal (incl. Threshold)
Hardlines 15% Electronics, toys, sporting goods, entertainment
Beauty 12% Cosmetics, skincare, haircare

Target trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TGT. The company operates approximately 1,956 stores across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, with a workforce of roughly 440,000 employees. Target is also known for its same-day fulfillment services (Order Pickup, Drive Up, and Shipt), which have become a key competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the CEO of Target Corporation?

As of February 2026, the CEO of Target Corporation is Michael Fiddelke, who succeeded Brian Cornell on February 1, 2026. Brian Cornell now serves as Executive Chairman of the Board. Cornell had been Target’s Chairman and CEO since August 2014.

What is Brian Cornell’s net worth in 2026?

Brian Cornell’s net worth is estimated at $80–100 million USD as of 2026. He held approximately 353,848 shares of Target stock (valued at over $40 million) as of May 2025, with additional wealth from previously vested equity awards and over a decade of total compensation exceeding $200 million.

What was Brian Cornell’s salary as Target CEO?

Brian Cornell’s total compensation as Target CEO for fiscal year 2024 was $20.4 million, including a $1.4 million base salary, $16.1 million in stock awards, $1.54 million in non-equity incentive pay, and $596,391 in other compensation. Over 93% of his pay was performance-based.

What is the Target CEO’s email address?

Brian Cornell’s corporate email address at Target is [email protected]. You can also reach Target’s corporate headquarters at 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403, or by phone at (612) 304-6073. For customer service inquiries, call 1-800-440-0680.

Why did Brian Cornell leave Target?

Brian Cornell did not abruptly leave Target. In August 2025, he announced a planned transition to step down as CEO effective February 1, 2026, moving into the role of Executive Chairman. He is expected to serve in this capacity through at least March 2027. COO Michael Fiddelke was appointed as his successor.

Is Target Corporation a profitable company?

Yes, Target is a profitable company. In fiscal year 2024, Target reported net income of $4.09 billion on revenue of $106.6 billion. Diluted earnings per share were $8.86, and the company’s gross margin rate improved to 28.2%. Target has maintained profitability throughout Brian Cornell’s tenure.

Article last updated:January 2026March 2, 2026

Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings (DEF 14A proxy statements), official Target Corporation press releases, annual reports, and reputable news outlets. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.