Target CEO Under Pressure as Boycott, Tariffs Hit Sales

May 21, 2025, 5:33 PM UTC

Pressure is growing on Target Corp.’s chief executive officer after the retailer cut its sales forecast following a sharp pullback in consumer spending and a hit from tariffs and boycotts.

The report sent shares falling and raised questions over Brian Cornell’s ability to recapture growth after two years of choppy results — especially as economic turbulence is growing.

“It’s a great brand. It’s actually a great company. It just looks to us like it needs a new leadership,” said Bill Smead, chief investment officer of Smead Capital Management, which has owned the stock since 2017.

Target’s current ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Government or Log In to keep reading:

Learn About Bloomberg Government

Providing news, analysis, data and opportunity insights.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools.