Target's Big Change: Family's Surprise and Concern

The Dayton sisters, Anne and Lucy, recently expressed their surprise and concern over Target's decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This change came after President Donald Trump's election. The sisters, daughters of Bruce Dayton, who helped expand Target, wrote letters to the editors of the Los Angeles Times and Financial Times. These letters highlighted their shock and disappointment. They emphasized that their father and uncles built Target on strong principles. These principles included excellence, customer focus, and community well-being. The sisters were alarmed by how quickly businesses gave in to the administration's threats. They argued that companies should be able to create business models based on ethical and business standards. The sisters accused Target of undermining its own success principles. Target, known for its corporate "wokeness, " has faced backlash for its LGBTQ Pride collections. This backlash led to a decline in sales. Target was founded in 1962 as a discount retail division of the Dayton Company. George Draper Dayton started this company decades earlier. After George Draper's death, his son, George Nelson Dayton, took over. George Nelson's five sons then took control. They created Target, the discount retail division. Seven years later, the Dayton Company merged with the Hudson Corporation. This formed a retail conglomerate that dominated the Midwest. As Target grew, the Dayton family's influence gradually diminished. By 2000, the family had stepped away from executive leadership. Today, institutional investors like Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street are the largest stakeholders. The Dayton family is known for their philanthropy and business legacy. They are no longer involved in Target's leadership or decision-making. Mark Dayton, the sisters' brother, served as Minnesota's governor from 2011 to 2019. He was also a US senator from 2001 to 2007. Bruce Dayton passed away in 2015 at the age of 97. He was the co-founder of Target. Target's decision to end its DEI programs has sparked debate. Some argue that businesses should focus on ethical standards. Others believe that companies should adapt to changing political climates. The Dayton sisters' letters highlight the importance of standing up for values. Their words serve as a reminder that businesses should not be afraid to take a stand.