Target Founder Douglas Dayton Dies at 88

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Douglas Dayton, who founded big-box retailer Target Corp. has died. He was 88.

Dayton's wife, Wendy Dayton, confirmed his death Sunday. She says the resident of Wayzata died Friday after a long battle with cancer.

Douglas Dayton's father founded the Minneapolis department store Dayton's in the 1940s. Douglas was the youngest of five brothers to take over the business, and was charged with leading the effort to expand into a discount retailer chain.

The first four Target stores opened in Twin Cities suburbs in the early 1960s and since expanded nationally and into Canada.

The Dayton family is no longer involved in the company's leadership.

Douglas Dayton is the uncle of Gov. Mark Dayton, who called his uncle "an extraordinary businessman, philanthropist and leader of our family."