Target named insider Michael Fiddelke on Wednesday as its new CEO to succeed long-time top boss Brian Cornell, and beat quarterly estimates, helped by a recovery in traffic at its stores and average receipts.

Target Corp. on Wednesday named Michael Fiddelke as its new chief executive, promoting the company veteran who has served as chief operating officer since January 2024. Fiddelke, 49, will succeed Brian Cornell, who led the Minneapolis-based retailer for 11 years through a period of significant growth and recent challenges.

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

Incoming Target CEO Michael Fiddelke has been leading the retailer's acceleration effort to combat falling sales. He laid out plans to restore growth.

Michael Fiddelke, the company’s chief operating officer, will take over as chief executive in February as Brian Cornell transitions to executive chair. The announcement comes at a time Target is trying to emerge from multiple quarters of sales declines.

The retailer's declining sales can be partially attributed to competitors like Walmart and Amazon Target CEO Brian Cornell is stepping down. After 11 years in the role, Cornell will leave his post at the beginning of next year,

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.