Exhibit 2
 
                      [LOGO OF DAYTON HUDSON CORPORATION]
                                                                    NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            Contact:  Susan Eich (media)
                                                           (612)304-0700

                                                           Susan Kahn (investor)
                                                           (612)370-6735

                              DAYTON HUDSON ADOPTS
                      REPLACEMENT SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

     MINNEAPOLIS, SEPT. 11, 1996 -- The board of directors of Dayton Hudson
Corp. today adopted a shareholder rights plan that will replace an existing plan
when it expires on Sept. 26, 1996. The new plan is substantially similar to the
expiring plan, except for the new plan's shorter five-year term.

     The company continues to believe that a rights plan is a valuable tool to
protect the long-term interests of the company and its approximately 10,000
shareholders in the event of an unsolicited takeover attempt.  The new plan was
not adopted in response to any present effort to acquire Dayton Hudson or its
securities.

     The new plan grants to Dayton Hudson investors a form of a preferred share
purchase right. Under both the expiring plan and the new plan, generally this
right becomes exercisable only in the event a third party accumulates 20 percent
or more of the company's common shares. In that event, each right (except for
rights held by the 20 percent shareholder) allows its holder to purchase $200 of
Dayton Hudson common stock for $100, subject to adjustment. The granting of the
new rights is not a taxable event for shareholders.

     Dayton Hudson Corp. specializes in large-store general merchandise formats,
including discount stores, moderate-priced promotional and traditional
department stores. The company operates 1,080 stores in 37 states. This includes
714 Target stores, 299 Mervyn's stores and 66 Department Stores.

     Dayton Hudson news releases are available through Company News on Call by
fax at 800-758-5804 extension 342677 (DHCorp) or at http://www.prnewswire.com.

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