Top 20 Most Admired Companies

Consumer jitters rattled retailers' nerves in 2007, and even mighty Target -- the $60 billion purveyor of cheap chic -- was unable to escape the gloom.

But while Target's 2007 numbers were lackluster -- same-store sales, a key measure of a retailer's health, fell in December, and profits fell in the fourth quarter -- the Minneapolis discounter kept its cool. Target continued to do what it does best: churn out trendy trappings with marketing mastery.

It also gave $3 million a week back to the community, boosting its image as the good guy of discount retailing. That helps explain why it jumped two spots this year, making it the top merchandiser on the list.  -Julie Schlosser