Douglas James Dayton (December 2, 1924 - July 5, 2013) was an American retail executive, businessman, and philanthropist and heir to the Dayton's Company fortune who was the co-founder of the Target discount stores chain. Dayton ran Target's operations during its early years and served as the company's first president. He started his career at the family company: Dayton's department stores.

Dayton served in the