UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

(RULE 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant  x

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

 

Check the appropriate box:

o

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

o

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

Definitive Additional Materials

x

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Target Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x

No fee required.

o

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

 

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

 

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

 

 

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

 

 

 

(5)

Total fee paid:

 

 

 

o

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

 

 

 

 

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

 

 

 

(3)

Filing Party:

 

 

 

 

(4)

Date Filed:

 

 

 

 



 

The following communication was distributed to Target team members on April 1, 2009:

 

On March 16, Pershing Square, a New York hedge fund led by Bill Ackman, announced plans to nominate five individuals for election to our Board of Directors, which our Board does not support.

 

In a subsequent letter to Gregg Steinhafel, Mr. Ackman explained his belief that Target’s Board is made up of 13 directors. In his view, Bob Ulrich’s retirement at the end of January created a vacant seat on the Board, not a reduction in the size of the Board from 13 to 12.

 

We maintain that, following Bob Ulrich’s retirement, the size of our Board is 12 and the Nominating Committee of our Board has nominated all four of the incumbent directors (Mary N. Dillon, Executive Vice President and Global Marketing Officer, McDonald’s Corporation; Richard M. Kovacevich, Chairman, Wells Fargo & Company; George W. Tamke, Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc.; and Solomon D. Trujillo, Chief Executive Officer, Telstra Corp. Ltd.) whose terms expire this year.

 

Mr. Ackman also suggested that Pershing Square and Target resolve the size of our board through arbitration. We firmly believe that Target’s Board consists of 12 members, but since Pershing Square has raised this issue, we believe that allowing our shareholders to vote to determine the size of our Board is the most cost-effective and equitable resolution. This choice is consistent with our longstanding commitment to strong corporate governance and active shareholder engagement.

 

We strongly encourage all Target team members to contribute individually by remaining focused on executing our strategy and driving our business forward.

 

Together, we will continue to consistently deliver on our “Expect More. Pay Less.” promise to our guests and fuel the profitable growth that will generate long-term value for our shareholders.

 

Any media inquiries on this or any other topic should be redirected to the Target Communications team (612.696.3400 or target.communications@target.com).

 

We will continue to provide updates on this topic in the coming weeks, as appropriate.

 

 

Important Information

 

Target, its directors, and certain of its officers and other employees are participants in the solicitation of proxies from Target’s shareholders in connection with Target’s 2009 annual meeting.  Important information concerning the identity and interests of these persons is available in the preliminary proxy statement Target filed with the SEC on March 30, 2009.

 

Target will file a definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2009 annual meeting.  The definitive proxy statement, any other relevant documents, and other materials filed with the SEC concerning Target are (or will be, when filed) available free of charge at http://www.sec.gov and http://investors.target.com.  Shareholders should read carefully the definitive proxy statement and the accompanying WHITE proxy card when they become available before making any voting decision.