Target is Expected to Pursue its First Outside CEO

Target's board, seeking a new CEO after pushing out Gregg Steinhafel yesterday, is under pressure to do something it's never done before: hire a leader from outside the company. Target is working with recruitment firm Korn Ferry, signaling that it's not focusing on internal candidates, said Carol Spieckerman, a retail consultant. The company also has increasingly looked outside for other executive roles, including its latest chief information officer and chief marketing officer. Potential candidates for the top job include HSN Inc. CEO Mindy Grossman, Bon-Ton Stores chief Brendan Hoffman, Gap head Glenn Murphy and Victoria's Secret CEO Sharen Turney.