John Griffith, Target's exec. VP of property development, to retire May 31; Griffith played instrumental role in growing Target's store count to more than 1,900 from 912 in 1999, the year he joined company

Cindy Allen

MINNEAPOLIS , May 20, 2014 (press release) – Target today announced that John Griffith, executive vice president of property development, will retire on May 31, 2014.

John joined Target in 1999 and played an instrumental role in growing Target’s store count from 912 stores in 1999 to more than 1,900 stores today. He also helped develop new store prototypes and formats including PFresh, CityTarget and Target Express, and designed and developed Target’s headquarters buildings worldwide, including India and Canada.

“Leading a team of such committed, talented people and representing Target in the community have been the highlights of my career. I am incredibly proud to have played a role in Target’s growth and evolution over the years,” said John Griffith.

Throughout his career, John was passionate about community involvement and served on the board for a number of organizations, including the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Greater MSP, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

“John had a tremendous influence on Target during his 15 years with the company. The energy and enthusiasm he brought to his role helped Target expand our geographic footprint and create new store formats. Not only did John leave an impact on Target, but his passion for the Twin Cities and dedication to the preservation and enhancement of downtown Minneapolis, will be felt for years to come,” said John Mulligan, Target’s interim president and CEO.

John has agreed to serve as a consultant on Target's engagement with economic development organizations in the Minneapolis area.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,924 stores – 1,797 in the United States and 127 in Canada – and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/corporateresponsibility.

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