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May 22, 2013
Target profits decline in first quarter, but company sees strong omnichannel sales growth

Colder weather and more conservative shoppers contributed to a drop in Target Corp.'s first quarter 2013 profits, but the company's underlying business remains healthy, executives said Wednesday morning in a conference call with investors.

MINNEAPOLIS — Colder weather and more conservative shoppers contributed to a drop in Target Corp.'s first-quarter 2013 profits, but the company's underlying business remains healthy, executives said Wednesday morning in a conference call with investors.

"While we are not satisfied with this quarter's performance, we remain highly confident in our strategy," president, chairman and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said during the call.

May 16, 2013
Target launches Sonia Kashuk fall 2013 collection

Target has launched the fall 2013 collection of Sonia Kashuk beauty products at its stores, the mass merchandise chain said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has launched the fall 2013 collection of Sonia Kashuk beauty products at its stores, the mass merchandise chain said.


Pictured here: The Sonia Kashuk travel duffle bag.

May 7, 2013
Target soft opens western Canada stores

Target opened 22 of its stores in western Canada Tuesday and will open two more next Tuesday, the mass merchandise retailer said.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Target is opening 22 of its stores in western Canada Tuesday and two more next Tuesday, the mass merchandise retailer said.

Target announced that it would soft open stores in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Most of the stores will include pharmacies and in-store Starbucks. The chain plans to open 124 stores across Canada this year and opened 24 in Ontario in March.

April 15, 2013
Kmart's 'Ship My Pants' ad goes viral

The mass merchandise retailer has garnered significant attention with its "Ship My Pants" ad, which has received close to 7.4 million views on YouTube and coverage in news outlets nationwide.

NEW YORK — If Kmart has proven anything, it's the transcendental power of potty humor. But at any rate, the mass merchandise retailer has garnered significant attention with its "Ship My Pants" ad, which has received close to 7.4 million views on YouTube and coverage in news outlets nationwide.

The ad is for a service the chain offers whereby customers who can't find what they're looking for in the store can order it online and have it shipped to them.

March 18, 2013
Target sets dates for next round of Canadian store openings

Target Corp. is opening 17 new stores in Canada's Ontario province Tuesday and four more on March 28, the mass merchandise retailer said Monday.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Target Corp. is opening 17 new stores in Canada's Ontario province Tuesday and four more on March 28, the mass merchandise retailer said Monday.

Target said the soft openings follow the launch of three pilot stores and will allow the company to engage in volume testing ahead of their April grand opening. The company plans to open 124 stores across Canada this year.

March 4, 2013
Target to soft-open first three Canadian stores

Target will open its first locations in Canada on Tuesday, the mass-merchandise retailer said.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Target will open its first locations in Canada on Tuesday, the mass merchandise retailer said.

December 18, 2012
Sears Holdings appoints New York Mets executive to board of directors

The parent company of Sears and Kmart has elected an executive from the New York Mets to its board of directors.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The parent company of Sears and Kmart has elected an executive from the New York Mets to its board of directors.

Sears Holdings announced the appointment of Mets VP player development and amateur scouting Paul DePodesta. His election to the board brings the total number of board members to eight.

December 13, 2012
Target to hire approximately 200 new team members with Baltimore store opening

Target announced plans to open a new store in Baltimore by October 2013. The retail giant has said approximately 200 new team members will be hired for the new location, part of the Canton Crossing Shopping Center on Boston Street.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced plans to open a new store in Baltimore by October 2013. The retail giant has said approximately 200 new team members will be hired for the new location, part of the Canton Crossing Shopping Center on Boston Street.

November 27, 2012
Target holiday tour across Canada heralds planned store openings

Target will sponsor a tour across Canada that will visit more than 20 communities ahead of the planned opening of its stores in the country, the mass-merchandise retailer said Tuesday.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Target will sponsor a tour across Canada that will visit more than 20 communities ahead of the planned opening of its stores in the country, the mass-merchandise retailer said Tuesday.

The tour will start in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and conclude in British Columbia in the middle of December. Target plans to open 124 stores in Canada starting in March and April 2013.

November 2, 2012
Kmart, Sears distribute emergency items, provide loyalty-card points to storm-affected areas

Sears and Kmart are offering more than a quarter-million dollars in rewards for members of their loyalty program and sending emergency equipment from 42 distribution centers in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, parent company Sears Holdings said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears and Kmart are offering more than a quarter-million dollars in rewards for members of their loyalty program and sending emergency equipment from 42 distribution centers in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, parent company Sears Holdings said.

October 16, 2012
Target awareness strong even before Canadian entry

Target should be feeling confident about its upcoming entry into Canada, as a recent survey from Kantar Retail and TNS Canada revealed that 75% of Canadians are aware of the retailer.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Target should be feeling confident about its upcoming entry into Canada, as a recent survey from Kantar Retail and TNS Canada revealed that 75% of Canadians are aware of the retailer.

Furthermore, 43% of Canadian consumers said that they were likely to shop at Target Canada for grocery or health and beauty aids and 50% were likely to shop at Target Canada for general merchandise or apparel.

August 16, 2012
Sears Holdings narrows losses in Q2 as comps decline

Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, posted a 3.7% decline in same-store sales and a $132 million loss for second quarter 2012, according to financial results announced Thursday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, posted a 3.7% decline in same-store sales and a $132 million loss for second quarter 2012, according to financial results announced Thursday.

July 18, 2012
Kmart raises more than $106M to benefit March of Dimes

For nearly 30 years, Kmart has been helping to improve the health of babies in partnership with the March of Dimes and, in 2012, the retailer raised $8 million to benefit the organization, bringing Kmart’s total contribution throughout the partnership to $106 million.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — For nearly 30 years, Kmart has been helping to improve the health of babies in partnership with the March of Dimes and, in 2012, the retailer raised $8 million to benefit the organization, bringing Kmart’s total contribution throughout the partnership to $106 million.

Kmart, which is a subsidiary of Sears Holdings, has made working on behalf of the health and wellness of children a company-wide effort involving management, associates and customers throughout all the company's in-store activities and events.

May 23, 2012
Kmart introduces bill-payment service

Kmart has introduced a walk-in bill payment service in its stores, the mass merchandise retail chain said Wednesday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has introduced a walk-in bill payment service in its stores, the mass merchandise retail chain said Wednesday.

Kmart announced the introduction of the CheckFreePay walk-in bill payment service from Fiserv, which allows customers at all of the chain's stores to pay bills from more than 3,000 companies, including utility, credit card and auto loan bills, for $1.50 or less per transaction, with cash or a PIN-based debit card.

May 18, 2012
Sears Holdings moves from loss to profit in Q1

Sears Holdings reported profits of $189 million during first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings reported profits of $189 million during first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said.

"We are pleased with the results for the first quarter and our progress toward restoring profit growth and transforming our company," president and CEO Lou D'Ambrosio said.

May 4, 2012
Kmart sells prescription pet medications

Kmart is introducing prescription pet medications at its stores, the mass merchandise retail chain said Friday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is introducing prescription pet medications at its stores, the mass merchandise retail chain said Friday.

The company said the new program was designed to make it easier for customers to get branded and generic pet drugs and more convenient to shop for the whole family. More than 60% of American households own a pet, and families spent more than $50 billion on their pets in 2011, according to the American Pet Products Association.

May 1, 2012
Sears Holdings offers peek at Q1 earnings

Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, expects to make a profit of between $155 million and $195 million in first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said Tuesday.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart, expects to make a profit of between $155 million and $195 million in first quarter 2012, compared with a $165 million loss in first quarter 2011, the company said Tuesday.

In a statement released in advance of its annual shareholders meeting Wednesday, Sears Holdings said the profit includes $235 million from the sales of stores in the United States and Canada, which generated $440 million of cash proceeds.

March 30, 2012
Competition really heating up in Canada

The news that Target has revealed the locations of its first 12 stores in Quebec is just one more reminder that the competition in Canada is really going to heat up.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that Target has revealed the locations of its first 12 stores in Quebec is just one more reminder that the competition in Canada is really going to heat up.

(THE NEWS: Target confirms locations of 12 Quebec debut stores. For the full story, click here)

January 27, 2012
Target expands list of Canada stores opening next year

Just a few weeks after unveiling the locations of its first 24 stores in Canada, Target released an expanded list of stores that will debut in 2013.

MINNEAPOLIS — Just a few weeks after unveiling the locations of its first 24 stores in Canada, Target released an expanded list of stores that will debut in 2013.

The stores listed included two in Alberta, two in British Columbia, 29 in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan. Additional details can be viewed here.

January 6, 2012
Is a turnaround at Sears Holdings on the way?

One of the most enduring rules of business is that when customers stop coming through the door, then the time has come for a reinvention.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One of the most enduring rules of business is that when customers stop coming through the door, then the time has come for a reinvention.

Recent decisions by Sears Holdings indicate that despite its financial problems, it's not too late for a comeback. The hiring of Ron Boire to head merchandising could give it new direction, while the introduction of the Fitness Flagship store-within-a-store allows Sears to capitalize on an area in which it has long specialized while taking advantage of the growing interest in health and wellness.

January 6, 2012
Oh, Canada! Target unveils first stores up north

Target revealed Thursday the locations of the first 24 Canadian stores.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target revealed Thursday the locations of the first 24 Canadian stores.

Target said the stores will open in March/early April 2013 and will be located in Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto, among others. Additional locations will be announced in the coming months.

January 3, 2012
Kmart parent brings in a new merchandising leader

Kmart parent company Sears Holdings hired Ron Boire as EVP, chief merchandising officer and president of Sears and Kmart formats.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart parent company Sears Holdings hired Ron Boire as EVP, chief merchandising officer and president of Sears and Kmart formats.

Boire, who previously was president and CEO of Brookstone, will lead merchandising and retail stores for both the Sears and Kmart brands.

"He will work with our leadership team to better serve our customers and Shop Your Way Rewards Members by integrating their experiences across our stores, online, services, and mobile capabilities," the company said.

November 18, 2011
Report: Target to sell Zellers pharmacy scripts, start over when stores re-open

Target is selling off the pharmacy business of the Zellers stores it bought as part of an effort to expand into Canada and start over, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Target is selling off the pharmacy business of the Zellers stores it bought as part of an effort to expand into Canada and start over, according to published reports.

Toronto-based newspaper The Globe & Mail reported that Target would sell Zellers' scripts to other retailers as it prepared to close the stores down for remodeling. The company plans to re-open them as Target stores, with pharmacies, in 2013. Industry observers value Zellers' pharmacy business at about C$500 million, according to the newspaper.

November 9, 2011
Sears Holdings enters the future of shopping with mobile walls

Sears and Kmart have entered the future of staying connected to consumers introducing mobile shopping walls in high-traffic areas.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears and Kmart have entered the future of staying connected to consumers introducing mobile shopping walls in high-traffic areas.

The shopping walls, which will feature top toys that customers can purchase from their smartphones by scanning the products' QR code, will be available in select malls across the United States, and, for Kmart only, in movie theater lobbies in major markets. Additionally, shoppers can find the Sears and Kmart mobile walls in airports in Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Puerto Rico, and at bus shelters nationwide.

October 31, 2011
Sears, Kmart to 'reward' shoppers just in time for holiday season

With the holiday season just around the corner, Sears Holdings is aiming to make shopping more rewarding by offering five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points — equal to 5% back — on all qualifying purchases.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — With the holiday season just around the corner, Sears Holdings is aiming to make shopping more rewarding by offering five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points — equal to 5% back — on all qualifying purchases.

The offer, which is available to all Sears credit cardholders who also are Shop Your Way Rewards members, begins immediately at both Sears and Kmart stores, and will continue year-round at Kmart. Sears is providing the offer until Jan. 28, 2012.