Who owns Target? A big competitor of the well-known Walmart, Target also does not fall short when it comes to offering goods of high quality. Every shopper finds what they need here at Target. 

They have stores in all 50 states in the US, and 75% of the US citizens live within the range of 10 miles of a Target store. With 415000 employees, it is one of the largest retail stores in the US. However, who owns them? This article will help you find out all about Target and who owns it.

Target Company Profile

Target has grown into one of the largest retail chains in the United States. And when you get affordability, quality, and convenience, why won’t you buy from them? by offering a mix of. The nationwide stats say that Target serves millions of customers through its stores and digital shopping platforms. Here’s a quick overview.

Find Out Who Owns Target In 2026

Standing today, the publicly traded company, known as Target Corporation, owns the Target stores along with other investors. They operate all the outlets of the other subsidiaries, keeping the business going. It is the seventh-largest retail store in the US.

The company started in Dayton. The company was not always named Target. The previous company that owned Target was named Dayton Hudson Corporation. Dayton changed the name of the corporation. 

They wanted to make it easier to identify the stores that were associated with them. That is why they changed the name of the company. The company is a publicly owned company. There are thousands of shares of the company. But the current CEO of the company is Michael Fiddelke since 1st February 2026. After Brian, who has been leading the company since 2014, Michael Fiddelke, as a veteran and true leader, took control.

Things You Should Know About Target

Target is a pretty old corporation and has been around for years. As a result, it has gained the popularity and the success we see now. There have been several changes to the company. A brief history is here to help you know more about who owns Target and who owned it before.

How did Target originate?

Target originated in the historic year 1857, and the first owner of the company was George Draper Dayton. Mr. Dayton had a moral leaning toward the community, and he wanted to do something to help communities. 

He wanted to become a minister. However, he ended up in the world of business. Dayton bought a few mortgages and became a bank president. As he started to accumulate experience, he looked for a place to start his own store.

He found Minneapolis was a promising enough place. There, he founded the Dayton Foundation and helped the local community. Soon, he bought land and started his first store, named Dayton’s Goods store. There was only one department of the store when Dayton started. He had only willed to sell high-quality goods to people, and he got a huge base of customers as a result.  

Who Owns Target: The First Owner

The company decided to change its name of the company in 1911. They simplified the name from Dayton Dry Goods Company to Dayton Company. It was meant for an easier understanding of the company and its branding. 

But the company had to face lots of problems in 1920 following a decrease in the number of customers, and the workers also went on strike. Then, the first owner of Target, Mr. Dayton, hired two commercial planes, creating history with the longest commercial flight. This got the company good attention and publicity.

Who Owns Target: The Second Owner

Dayton had done much for the community as he wished to. But he died from cancer at the age of 80. His philanthropic work was the main goal he aimed at. 

After his death, his son George N. Dayton carried out his father’s dream. He planned to give away 5% of the company’s pretax profit to the community. At that time, this store was the second retailer in the world to do something like this for a community. George was the second owner of Dayton, now known as Target.

Who Owns Target: The Third Owner

After George N. Dayton, the store came to the hands of his son Donald C. Dayton. Although all the Grandsons of Draper Dayton eventually came to the key leadership position in the company as its president. Here are the names of the next presidents of the company –

1. Wallace
2. George II
3. Kenneth
4. Bruce
5. Donald
6. Douglas

Who Owns Target Stores Now?

Following different presidents and ownership, the company changed over the years. Dayton diversified its business and became larger as a store. But the most iconic shift for the company came in 2000.

The company changed its name to Target, and the parent company became The Target Corporation. Although they suffered an immense publicized breach in security, they pulled through in 2010 as they expanded in the urban market.

For the trailing 12 months (TTM) ending April 30, 2026, Target Corporation generated $106.38 billion in total revenue. They have 2008 stores and 51 supply chain facilities across all 50 states of the US. Making the brand more successful ever since they went public on October 18, 1967.

How Target Makes Money

Most people think Target makes money simply by selling products. Well, that is definitely true, but there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes. Instead of relying on a single category, Target earns revenue from several retail segments. That keeps the business balanced even when customer spending changes. Its biggest revenue sources include:

• Groceries and household essentials
• Clothing and accessories
• Home décor and furniture
• Beauty and personal care products
• Electronics and entertainment
• Digital sales through Target.com, Drive Up, and same-day delivery services

Then there’s another advantage. Target’s exclusive brands. Products like Good & Gather, Cat & Jack, and Up & Up aren’t just popular with shoppers. They also help the company improve profit margins while offering products you won’t find at competing retailers. Simple idea, but multiple revenue streams that hold one strong business.

Surprising Facts You Should Know About Target

Here are some surprising facts you should know about Target –

Fact 1

George Dayton, the founder of Target, started the company by helping his church. During the great economic depression in 1893, the Westminster Presbyterian Church was burned down. The Church Congregation asked him if he could buy a space near the original church, helping them to start a new one. Dayton was inspired and built a six-story building on the property he had just bought.

Fact 2

The Dayton Company, later known as Target, was a multi-million dollar property after Dayton rented it out during the 1920s. He rented the entire six-story building to different customers using his business connections.

Fact 3 

Target is the first employer in the US to offer retirement benefits to its employees. In the 1940s, they started donating 3% of Target’s taxable income to the Dayton Foundation. 

Fact 4

Target increases its hourly wages every year continuously. In 2015, they had an hourly wage of $9, which they increased to $11 in 2017. They increased it to $13 in 2019.

Fact 5

Target was the corporation that developed the first fully enclosed shopping mall in 1956.

Target Subsidiaries and Brands

Walk through a Target store and you’ll notice something interesting. Not every brand belongs to another company. In fact, Target owns several successful private-label brands that have become customer favorites over the years. Here’s a look at some of them.

These brands help Target stand out in a crowded retail market. They give shoppers more choices while helping the company build customer loyalty.

Target vs Walmart Comparison

Target and Walmart are often compared. And honestly, it makes sense. Both are retail giants. Both serve millions of customers every day. But their business strategies are a little different.

So which one is better? It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you prefer affordable style, exclusive brands, and a curated shopping experience, Target often stands out. If your priority is the lowest prices and the widest product selection, Walmart usually has the edge. That’s why both companies continue to dominate the retail industry, each appeals to shoppers differently.

Frequently Asked Questions!! (FAQs):

So, those were the answers to your question. However, here are some additional queries and their accurate answers. You might find them informative.

Bottom Line

Who owns Target? If you own a share of the target corporation, then you are also an owner of the company. There are 4.81 million shares of the company. Many large corporations own a large percentage of this company’s shares currently. Also, the company had different owners throughout its history.

I hope that you have found the answer to your question. However, if there are any further queries, you may ask us questions in the comments section.

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