Target on Wednesday named a new chief executive, Michael Fiddelke, the company’s chief operating officer and a 20-year company veteran, who said that improving the retail giant’s sputtering finances was “urgent” as he prepared to step into the top job.

Fiddelke, an Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate, has been with Target since 2003, starting as an intern. Investors reacted negatively to the appointment, causing Target's shares to drop over 6%. An Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate will be the new top executive of Target, one of the nation's largest retail chains.

Michael Fiddelke, the company’s chief operating officer, will take over as chief executive in February as Brian Cornell transitions to executive chair. The announcement comes at a time Target is trying to emerge from multiple quarters of sales declines.

Target has been cutting costs to cope with tariffs, a sign of the tough conditions its next chief will have to navigate.