Target CEO Brian Cornell, who helped reenergize the company but has struggled to turn around weak sales in a more competitive retail landscape since the COVID pandemic, plans to step down Feb. 1.

Michael Fiddelke, Target's current chief operating officer, will succeed Brian Cornell as chief executive officer, the company said in a release. Cornell, who has served as the company's CEO since 2014, will step down and Fiddelke will take over the role on Feb. 1, 2026.

S hares of Target Corp. slumped 9.4% in premarket trading Wednesday, after the discount retailer said it was replacing for Chief Executive Brian Cornell, who has been in charge for the past 11 years, with current Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke, effective Feb. 1, 2026.