Fiddelke acknowledged many of these problems on Wednesday, saying Target was “urgently adjusting” to tariffs and changing consumer needs, embracing technology to automate manual work, and working to mend problems like slow decision-making, siloed internal goals, and a lack of access to quality data that would drive better inventory planning.

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.

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

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.

Key Takeaways Target announced it was replacing CEO Brian Cornell with 20-year company veteran Michael Fiddelke, and shares plunged.Fiddelke was instrumental in the struggling retailer's efforts to reshape how it operates.

Target reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings Wednesday, but that may not matter much to investors, who finally know who the retailer’s next chief executive is going to be. Target announced that longtime veteran and current Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke will succeed CEO Brian Cornell on Feb.