Reputation ranking slides

Target slipped several positions in a recent reputation ranking that looked at 60 of the nation’s most visible companies. Target ranked 31st in the 2009 version of Harris Interactive’s Annual RQ study compared with 23rd in 2008. Other retailers ranked ahead of Target last year included Amazon.com (9), Lowe’s (17), Costco (22), Home Depot, (24) and Whole Foods (27). Target was ranked ahead of Best Buy (32) and Walmart (38).

The reputation rankings are based on interviews with nearly 30,000 people conducted over a six-week period that began around the first of the year. Those surveyed were asked their opinion of 20 different attributes across six dimensions including vision and leadership, social responsibility, emotional appeal, products and services, workplace environment and financial performance.