Target Corp.'s board of directors has grown by nearly a third in recent months as chief executive and board chairman Brian Cornell has brought on new members whose résumés include Procter & Gamble, Clorox and Safeway.
"It's a new era for Target, and I think they're looking for new board members who are reflective of what Target is trying to achieve," said Amy Koo, an analyst with Kantar Retail.
She added that the recent additions to the board who have a strong background in consumer brands also send a signal to suppliers that the Minneapolis-based retailer still finds those products relevant even as it looks to overhaul its assortment to include more niche and organic labels. The new board members also reflect the background of Cornell, who was a former executive at PepsiCo.
The latest newcomer to the now 13-person board was announced Thursday: Melanie Healey, 54, former group president of the North American division of Procter & Gamble.
A native of Brazil, Healey worked at the consumer products company for more than 25 years before retiring this summer after she did not win the top job.
Dustee Jenkins, a Target spokeswoman, said that Healey brings a strong background in building wellness brands, which is an important focus for Target, as well in improving operations. Target has also been working on the latter as it looks to upgrade its supply chain and reduce its level of out-of-stock merchandise.
In August, Target's board elected two other new board members — Donald Knauss and Robert Edwards. Knauss, 64, is the former chairman and chief executive of Clorox and a former Coca-Cola executive. Edwards, 60, is the former chief executive of grocery chain Safeway and previously worked with Cornell at that company.
Jenkins noted that Edwards' background in groceries will be a big asset to Target as it looks to reinvent its own food offerings.
