The corporate retail world was buzzing last week with the announcement of the appointment of ex-PepsiCo executive, Brian Cornell, to be Target stores new Chief Executive Officer. Cornell is the first outsider to lead Target, the #2 discount chain in the United States.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Cornell has been on the board of directors at snowmobile/ATV/motorcycle manufacturer Polaris since 2012.
Polaris CEO Scott Wine said the appointment left him smiling ear to ear. "I like to see good guys win," Scott Wine told the newspaper. "He's extremely well-liked and respected among the board members, and he's earned the respect from my management team."
Scott Wine added that Cornell brings a steady hand and measured approach to leadership. "He doesn't need to be the loudest one in the room but he often has the most important thing to say." Cornell has also worked for Safeway, Sam's Club before running PepsiCo's Americas Food division and now Target stores.
Cornell, 55, is getting a compensation package worth up to $36.6 million to join the Minnesota-based retailer, which recently opened over 100 stores in Canada. Hey, remember when Eaton stores sold snowmobiles, how about Target selling snowmobiles?
