Target Corp. Business Ethics

The fourth largest retailer and second largest discount retailer in North America behind Wal-Mart, Target Corporation is known for their reputation of service to their customers, employees and community. Target’s mission is “to make Target your preferred shopping destination in all channels by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation and exceptional guest experiences by consistently fulfilling our Expect More. Pay Less. Brand promise”. (Jurevivius, 2013) Target Corporation’s code of ethics has major depth and has six aspects.

Target’s founder, George Draper Dayton became a business partner in Goodfellow’s Dry Goods Company in 1902, which was the fourth largest department store in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The next year, Dayton takes sole ownership and over the next decade had rapid growth. Dayton’s personal principles are what shapes this new store, which included his belief of “the higher ground of stewardship” and soon becomes known for dependable merchandise, fair business practices and a generous spirit of giving. In 1918, Dayton creates The Dayton Foundation with $1 million endowment and a purpose in aiding the welfare of mankind anywhere in the world. This still takes shape in their current code of ethics. (Target)

Target Corporation, being named multiple times to the world’s most ethical companies (Ethisphere) not only has a bold and strong ethical statement, they actually do something about it. Ethisphere takes companies that excel in three areas of “promoting ethical business standards and practices internally, enabling managers and employees to make good choices, and shaping future industry standards by introducing tomorrow’s best practices today”.

Target’s purpose and beliefs are not something they just have posted on the wall, it’s something they live by as a company and guides the way they work and keep focused on the guests who keep their business alive along with everything they do. Target puts forth effort to let their...