|
Case
| HBS Case Collection
|
2011
(Revised from original 2009 version)
Target Corporation: Ackman versus the Board
by
Krishna G. Palepu, Suraj Srinivasan and James Weber
|
Abstract
After 15 years of great performance, Target's faltering performance during an economic downturn led an activist shareholder to initiate a proxy fight. Target Corporation, the second largest discount store retailer in the U.S., had competed successfully against industry leader Wal-Mart for years by promoting an upscale discount shopping experience in comparison to Wal-Mart's focus on low prices. This strategy worked well for Target in good economic times. The economic crisis of 2008–2009, however, caused shoppers to abandon Target in favor of Wal-Mart. In the spring of 2009, one of Target's largest shareholders initiated a proxy fight to place his five director nominees on the board. Target won the proxy fight, but still faced questions about whether it had a strategy that could work in both good times and bad.
Keywords: Financial Crisis;
Investment Activism;
Governing and Advisory Boards;
Business and Shareholder Relations;
Business Strategy;
Value;
Retail Industry;