Our group, upon much deliberation, decided to conduct our research on the Target Corporation. This decision was based partially on the interesting class presentation done by one of its Wisconsin store managers, and also a genuine interest in the company. We have all been to a Target store or one very similar in our lives. A great number of Americans shop there on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, purchasing anything from a loaf of bread to a flat screen television. The broadness of its product and the way they conduct their business is what first appealed to our group. Digging deeper, we found that Target is more than just convenient shopping and friendly service. They are a multi-million dollar corporation that hasn't forgotten about their community or their employees.
Target Corporation was founded in 1902, though it was not known as Target Corp. at the time. George Dayton opened Goodfellows in downtown Minneapolis, which remains at the same location today. In 1903 the company changed their name to Dayton Dry Goods Company. This name did not last long either as it was shortened in 1910 to The Dayton Company. In 1946 The Dayton Company began a tradition of giving 5% of their profit back to the communities and continues to do so today. In 1953 The Dayton Company adopted a new logo cutting out the word "company", and just having the word Dayton's as the new logo. In 1954 Hudson's was opened in Detroit Michigan by J.L Hudson who opened the store in Northland Center, the largest shopping center at the time. In 1956 Southdale was opened by the Dayton Company in Minneapolis; this signified the opening of the world's first fully enclosed two-level shopping center. The Dayton Company began to venture into dis ...